Dhaka, May 8 (IANS): The 4th phase polls of Bangladesh's lowest tier of local government have once again marred by sporadic violence, leaving at least six dead as of Saturday night.

Stray incidents of clash, arson, vandalism, explosion of hand bombs, chase and counter-chase and firing were reported in many of the 703 unions that went to the polls on Saturday in 47 districts.

Some 17 political parties took part in the 4th phase of the first-ever partisan local government body polls .

At least three deaths have been reported on Saturday night in Rajshahi district, due to the firing by law enforcers and the incidents of clashes between supporters of rival candidates.

Also due to the incidents of clashes between supporters of rival candidates, three more people were killed and hundreds of others injured in northwestern Thakurgaon district and Comilla and Norsingdi districts in eastern Bangladesh on Saturday.

Sources said supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party candidates, and rival ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates mainly clashed in parts of the country.

The previous phases of the elections were also marred by clashes and irregularities.