The first phase of polls to 97 upazilas was relatively peacefully except for some sporadic incidents of violence, and the elections witnessed a 59.19% voter turnout, claimed Election Working Group (EWG) officials.
The observation was made at a press conference organised by the EWG at Sagor-Runi auditorium at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital’s Segun Bagicha yesterday.
EWG Director Md Abdul Alim said: “In 97.9% centres, empty ballot boxes were shown before polling agents and EWG observers, and the ballot boxes were sealed properly in 98.9% centres.”
He also said casting of votes was delayed in only 5.5% of centres, adding that violence was reported at 9.7% centres.
The report also noted that law enforcers played an active role in controlling the situation at 92% of centres.
In 25 upazilas, the EWG observers counted a total of 63 incidents of fake vote-casting and 38 incidents occurred where unidentified persons tried to snatch items from ballots boxes.
Vote casting was temporarily halted at 16 centres, and supporters were seen campaigning for candidates within 400 yards of around 4.5% of centres in violation of election laws, the report added.
Eleven incidents of violence were observed outside centres and 17 incidents were reported in which candidates provided transportation facilities to the voters.
Presiding officers confirmed the presence of polling agents at 89.8% of centres, while the presence of unauthorised people inside booths during vote counting was observed, the report said.