38% turnout in 3rd phase of upazila polls: EC
New EC secretary joins
The third phase of the upazila parishad elections saw a 38% voter turnout in 87 upazilas, outgoing Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said today (30 May).
However, this figure may finally rise as complete data from all centres was yet to be received, he told a press conference.
Immediately after the polls on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters that the turnout rate might hover around 35% and the exact data would be available within the next 20 to 25 hours.
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The newly appointed EC Secretary Shafiul Azim was also present at yesterday's press conference, held at the Election Commission office.
On 21 May, the Ministry of Public Administration ordered the transfer of Jahangir Alam to the position of secretary of the Public Security Division.
Shafiul Azim, who was the managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has been promoted and appointed new EC secretary on the same day. He joined his new position yesterday.
"We live within a political system where the government, political parties, and citizens collectively embody democracy. The essence of modern politics is democracy. No one can be served outside the law. It is possible to give 100% of what you deserve," he said.
