EC to be happy with over 40% votes

The Election Commission will be satisfied if votes, cast for the general Election, go over 40 percent.

As the ballots were being counted Election Commissioner Abu Hafiz told reporters, “We will be happy if turnout is over 40 percent. Such numbers are cast in Great Britain. It is considered standard there.”

The Election Commission did not provide exact figures for the overall polls turnout.

The 9th election saw 87 percent votes cast. But this time, the BNP-led 18-Party alliance boycotted the polls and even announced to openly resist them.

As polling continued for 147 constituencies in 59 districts on Sunday, 21 people lost their lives. Sole candidates for the remaining 153 seats won without contest.

The Election Commission and the ruling Awami League were both aware of the low turnout the polls might have. BNP, after polls closed, claimed people rejected the election.

Election Commissioner Hafiz said, “Turnout was good in Chittagong and the northern districts. In Chittagong we saw 50 percent of the voters come out and somewhere even 70 percent.”

“But there were many violent incidents in the north. Voters came out in fewer numbers than normal in high-risk areas.”

When asked about the turnout he advised reporters to wait saying, “It is best not to say anything about the total turnout before the final result.”

The Election Commissioner spoke of his ‘dissatisfaction’ for having to hold the polls without the Opposition.

“It would have been a pleasure if all parties participated. We would have been ecstatic to have everyone with us.

“That is why we waited after the schedule was announced. It could have been rescheduled in case of a consensus.”

“But it is our misfortune. We don’t blame anyone.”

Only 12 out of the 40 parties registered with the Election Commission took part in Sunday’s election.

Hafiz hoped for a political consensus, even though election was over.

“I don’t know what the problem is between the Awami League and BNP. I hope there will be an understanding in the right time.”

Even though the BNP claimed the election was a joke and demanded that it be cancelled, but Hafiz maintained, “This election has to be accepted. This is reality.

“We have the Constitution before us. We have to follow it.”

He mentioned how the Opposition-boycotted polls of Feb 15, 1996 had yielded 26 percent turnout.

“Everyone then had to accept the Parliament that was formed out of just 26 percent votes. No one could deny it.”

Freedon Fighter Hafiz expressed his feelings about the election saying, “We fought for this country, and saved it. It hurts to see it getting destroyed.

“I get my country, its soil and its people. Not the twists of politics.”

“This country is being played with. It hurts, what more could I feel?

“Polls will be held properly. People don’t have to burn. This doesn’t make sense.”

He received a phone call as he was briefing reporters at the EC secretariat. He was heard making clear the EC’s tough stance over the phone.

“No one can influence the election,” he said. “Result cannot be doubled- this is our order. Anyone who tries to do this will be handed over to the police.”

More than 150 centres saw halt in election due to violence. When asked about this specifically, Hafiz asked reporters to wait for a written report by the Returning Officer.

“It will take a little time to see how many centres were halted.

“Information was being shared on phones until now. Polls continued in some of these places. The media will be given the correct figure. We are also waiting for it.”