EC thanks voters for 'festive' elections

The commission urges special prayers and supplications on Friday

The Election Commission (EC) has expressed its gratitude and thanks to the countrymen for helping make the national elections and referendum “festive”.

It has also requested special prayers and supplications to be held on Friday.

In a statement after the vote, the commission said: “The Bangladesh Election Commission thanks and expresses its gratitude to all political parties, candidates, law-enforcing agencies, government and private officials and employees responsible for the election, observers, media workers, voters, and the countrymen for providing all-round cooperation in making the referendum and the 13th national elections free, fair, impartial, and festive.

“The Election Commission has requested all concerned to organise special prayers in all mosques after Jumma [Friday] and other places of worship at convenient times, seeking peace, prosperity, and progress in Bangladesh.”

The voting period for the national election has ended without any major clashes.

Voting began at 7:30am on Thursday and continued uninterrupted until 4:30pm.

According to the EC, 48 percent turnout was recorded in 36,000 of 43,000 centres by 2pm, with final turnout expected to reach 55-60 percent.