Voting completed in 78 upazilas under 12 districts in the first phase of fifth upazila council elections. Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed claimed that the elections were held peacefully as a whole.
He said these at a press conference at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in the capital on Sunday.
The EC Secretary said, elections were held in 78 upazilas under 12 districts of four divisions. The elections were held in comparatively peaceful way, according to the information so far we received. Voting was held in five thousand 847 voting centers. Of those voting in 28 centers was cancelled due to different irregularities. Voting will take place in these centers later. In the other centers voting was peaceful.
At that time he said that after holding the first phase upazila elections, the Election Commission thinks that election was held in a peaceful manner as a whole.
When asked about voter turnout, the EC Secretary said, we have not yet received the information about percentage of voters’ attendance. So far we know that the voter turnout was satisfactory. Vote count has begun and after that we will be able to know the percentage of voters who casted their votes.
When asked about whether the voter turnout would be more if all political parties take part in the elections, Helal Uddin Ahmed said, when all political parties take part then voter turnout will increase, it is normal.
The EC Secretary also informed that two Presiding Officers were arrested in Sirajganj over allegation of irregularities. At Patgram in Lalmonirhat Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer were arrested. Besides, more than 10 persons were sent to jail after awarding punishment by the mobile courts following their involvement with irregularities.
AH
