DHAKA, Jan 7: Voter turnout in Bangladesh’s 12th parliament polls on Sunday reached approximately 40 percent of the total eligible voters, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said.
Speaking at a press conference, he said that the voter turnout rate would likely further increase after final counts.
The elections were held in a calm and democratic atmosphere, with only a few irregularities and incidents of violence registered, he added.
According to the official, the results will be announced at or before midnight.
Around 120 million citizens had the right to vote at over 42,000 polling stations across the country.
Around 2,000 candidates are contesting for 299 out of the 300 directly-elected parliamentary constituencies. Election at a constituency was postponed last week due to the death of a candidate.
In Bangladesh, a party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 151 seats. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League party, which rose to power with a landslide election victory in 2009 and won its second term in 2014 and third term in 2018, now eyes a straight fourth five-year term in the country. (UNI)
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