Staff Reporter :
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir announced on Thursday that voter turnout in the first phase of the sixth upazila parishad election was 36.1% for the chairman post across 139 upazilas.
Speaking to reporters at Nirbhachan Bhavan, Commissioner Alamgir highlighted the voting statistics. The use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) recorded a turnout of 31.31%, while traditional ballot paper voting was at 37.22%.
Notably, Sonatala, Mirsrai, and Kushtia Sadar upazilas saw the lowest turnout at 17%, whereas Joypurhat Khatlal upazila recorded the highest turnout at 73.1%.
Reports from observers and eyewitnesses indicated a subdued election-day atmosphere, with many polling centers sparsely populated. Instances of violence and irregularities were reported sporadically.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, after the polls closed, stated that the first phase was conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, despite isolated incidents of violence and irregularities.
CEC Awal attributed the low turnout to adverse weather conditions in certain areas and the ongoing paddy harvesting season.