‘We’re very satisfied’

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir yesterday said they were satisfied with the Gazipur city polls.

"We are very satisfied.... Voters and candidates are also satisfied," he said while briefing reporters at the Election Commission office after the polling ended in the afternoon.

Alamgir said that they got information from their observers, law enforcement agencies, returning officers, election officials, and the media that the polls to Gazipur City Corporation was "very fair and peaceful".

The mayor candidates said the election was held impartially and they would accept whatever the results are, he added.

Asked about the turnout, Alamgir said it was tough for him to mention any percentage. "But it was not less than 50 percent."

About slow casting of votes at some polling centres, the election commissioner said, "Some voters might have faced difficulties understanding how to cast votes using EVMs. This might be a reason for the slow voting. But that's not the only reason."

Enquired about the absence of polling agents of independent mayor candidate Zaida Khatun, he said they didn't have any such reports.

Speaking to reporters in the morning, Alamgir said several EVMs were no working at the beginning of the voting, but the problem was fixed immediately and the voters were able to cast their votes.

He said that there were some problems with 10-12 CCTV cameras at some polling centres due to internet issues, but footage was still being recorded at those centres.

Voting ended at all 480 polling centres without any report of violence.