Election Commission expects 80 percent voter turnout in Comilla polls

The Election Commission (EC) says they hope the Comilla City Corporation polls will set a 'new record' in voter turnout.

EC Secretary Mohammad Abdullah told bdnews24.com in Dhaka that they estimate around 40 percent voters exercised their franchise in the first four hours after polls opened at 8am on Thursday.

"According to our reports, voting is underway in a rather festive manner. The voter turnout might be anywhere between 75 percent and 80 percent," he said.

Voting has been disrupted in one of the 103 polling stations after crude bombs exploded outside on the street, said the senior EC official. "Polls are on in the other centres."

Around 11am, few crude bombs exploded outside the polling station at the Comilla City College.

EC Secretary Abdullah said they have received reports of irregularities over ballot papers meant for councillor elections.

"The returning officer is on the spot. Everything was going fine at that centre; (returning officer) will report as soon as possible over the situation there," he said.

A total of 2,07,566 voters are eligible to vote at 628 polling booths in 103 centres.

Four candidates are contesting for mayor while the number of candidates vying for 27 ward councillor posts and nine councillor posts reserved for women stands at 154.

The polls will end on 4pm.

While Awami League candidate Anjum Sultana Sima is satisfied with the conduct of the polls, incumbent mayor and BNP candidate Monirul Haque Sakku has raised allegations of 'irregularities'.

Senior EC official Abdullah, however, said they have not received any complaints from the candidates of the two major political parties of the country.

"The voter turnout is rather high. We hope a record number of votes will be cast."

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in the first polls to the Comilla City Corporation in 2012, when the results were announced five hours after polls closed.

A total of 169,273 voters exercised their franchise in that poll, when the turnout stood at 75.06 percent, according to EC.