Election Commissioner Md. Ahsan Habib Khan said Khulna and Barishal City Corporations elections are being held in a free and fair manner.

He said, "All election commissioners, along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, are monitoring the elections through CCTV cameras. The presence of voters in such a festive atmosphere since morning, is beyond imagination. It assures voters of the fair election arrangement and motivates them to come to the polling centers."

Ahsan Habib Khan made this comment while monitoring the elections on Monday (June 12) through CCTV cameras.

He also said, "We are receiving reports from our own monitoring team on the field. Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath has gone to Barisal, and Joint Secretary Moniruzzaman has gone to Khulna, along with ten other officials. The feedback we received from them is that the voting is very beautiful, accurate, and uninterrupted. We haven't received any news of obstruction from anyone."

He further said, "Firstly, those who are voters have come to the centers without any hindrance. Secondly, those who are candidates are cooperating. There hasn't been any kind of untoward situation. Thirdly, the law enforcement agencies and administration have maintained control over the situation. Everyone is working together to conduct this election. Voters are casting their votes with joy in a festive environment."

The Election Commissioner said, "We hope that the presence of voters will be higher than in the past. As voting is cast using electronic voting machines, there are no inconveniences. There have been no complaints from any party. We hope to present a fair election until the end."

He said, "Within an hour and a half, I have seen 80 votes cast in one center and 47 votes in another center. This is not slow, it's going fast. If there are voters within the boundary of the polling center, the voting will continue even after 4 o'clock."

Voting for the two cities began at 8 am and will continue uninterrupted until 4 pm."

The voting started at 8:00am and will continue until 4:00pm without any break.

In Barishal, 276,298 voters will vote to choose the mayor and councillors.

Of the voters, 137,489 are males, and 138,809 are females. Seven mayoral candidates, 118 general councillor candidates, and 42 reserved councillor candidates will vie in the elections.

BDST: 1252 HRS, JUNE 12, 2023
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