Bangladesh sees nearly 60% turnout in general election

Final figures show 59.44 percent turnout as the BNP prepares to form the next government

Voter turnout in the Feb 12 election and referendum stood at 59.44 percent, according to the Election Commission (EC).

The vote was held on Thursday, with 127,711,793 registered voters eligible to cast ballots.

A total of 2,028 candidates from 50 political parties, along with independents, contested 299 parliamentary seats.

Turnout in the previous 12 elections was recorded at 55 percent, 51.12 percent, 59.58 percent, 54.92 percent, 55.45 percent, 26.5 percent, 74.96 percent, 75.59 percent, 87.13 percent, 40.04 percent, 80.20 percent and 41.8 percent.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin described the latest poll as one of the best, most acceptable and most festive in the country’s history.

He said the commission had fulfilled its pledge to deliver an impartial, transparent and credible election, adding that by any standard it would be regarded as more acceptable than the controversial polls of the past.

Consolidated results from returning officers began arriving at the EC headquarters around 10pm on Thursday, when outcomes were formally announced from the results centre.

By midday on Friday, results for 297 of the 299 seats had been declared.

The BNP has secured an outright majority and is set to form the next government.