Voter turnout 27pc in city elections: EC

The voter turnout in the elections to the two Dhaka city corporations was around 27.15 percent, senior secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Md Alamgir said here today.

While talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban, he said the voter turnout was 25.3 percent in the election to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), while 29.2 percent in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) polls.

Asked about whether the EC is satisfied over the voter turnout in the city polls, Alamgir said the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners have already given their opinion in this regard and the EC is not satisfied over the voter turnout.

He said the EC took every possible measure to make the city elections free, fair and credible.

"There was a peaceful environment during the elections as the law enforcement agencies performed their duties properly. There was no way to give fake votes," Alamgir said.

He continued "We predicted that the voters would come to polling centres willingly to exercise their franchise. Once voters of the city get a leave, they do not stay in Dhaka. Many go outside the city to attend social functions…they show less interest in voting."

The EC secretary said the commission expected around 50 percent voter turnout in the city elections but the turnout was very low than its expectation.