Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday (May 8) said the first phase of the Upazila Parishad elections were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner with around 30 to 40 percent of voter turnout.

He said except some unwanted incidents, the election was held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

CEC was briefing the journalists regarding the local body polls at EC secretariat in Dhaka after ending the balloting.

A total of 34 violent incidents took places among the supporters of the candidates and 37 people sustained injuries during the election, he said.  

Besides, small-scale irregularities occurred during the election and voting of two centres out of the total 10, 399, were suspended, he said.

About the turnout of the voters, he said the low turnout may be the cause of rain in some parts of the country and the ongoing paddy harvesting season.

BDST: 1849 HRS, MAY 8, 2024
MSK