Staff Reporter :
The initial phase of the upazila parishad elections concluded amidst reports of low voter turnout and irregularities across polling centers nationwide.
Eyewitnesses and observers noted an unexpectedly low presence of voters, a sentiment echoed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal. The CEC reported that voter turnout during the first phase ranged between 30 to 40 percent, attributing the decrease to inclement weather and ongoing agricultural activities.
“The actual figures will be disclosed later. Due to rain and ongoing harvesting, voters were hesitant to visit polling centers,” CEC Kazi Habibul Awal remarked during a media interaction at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, the capital’s locality, on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite these challenges, the CEC highlighted that the upazila parishad elections were conducted in a predominantly peaceful and impartial manner, with few isolated incidents.
“Upon receiving reports of incidents, the Election Commission (EC) promptly intervened, resulting in the postponement of polling at two centers. Law enforcement agencies and administrative bodies remained vigilant in fulfilling their duties,” stated the CEC.
He emphasised the EC’s primary role in ensuring voters’ access to polling stations and addressing irregularities promptly.
“Our mandate is to monitor voter turnout and election procedures, addressing any issues that may arise.
We believe we have fulfilled our responsibilities successfully,” added CEC Kazi Habibul Awal.
The first phase of the country’s sixth Upazila Parishad Election encompassed 139 upazilas across 59 districts, with polling concluding at 4:00 pm without interruption.
A total of 1630 candidates vied for 417 positions, including chairman, vice-chairman, and women vice-chairman roles in each upazila, with over 2.80 crore registered voters casting their ballots.
In Kishoreganj, a judicial mobile court sentenced three individuals for allegedly casting fraudulent votes in Pakundia. Additionally, law enforcement authorities apprehended two school students attempting to cast fake votes in Boulai Union of Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila.
Despite the challenges and incidents observed during this phase, law enforcement agencies maintained a visible presence in every polling center to uphold order and ensure compliance with electoral regulations. Voter turnout remained notably low throughout the electoral process.