Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said the apathy of voters during the recently held Dhaka city polls is not good for the democracy of Bangladesh.
The minister made the remark while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, reports UNB.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said: "We will assess and analyze the elections once Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returns home from abroad."
Mentioning that the full use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the elections is a new experience, he said there were some mistakes but many people found it easier and simpler.
"It's a matter of concern for us ... we had expected more votes in our favour. Considering the number of voters for Awami League, the vote percentage was low," he explained.
He said the negative campaign against EVM and the ruling party were the main reasons behind the low voter turnout.
"However, it was a good election. In the future, political parties will play a role in mobilizing public opinion by learning from these mistakes," Quader said.
About BNP's rejection of the city polls, the minister said it was obvious for the party to do so. "Despite its disordered organizational condition without a leader, it has done well ....Seriously, they fared well!"
Quader termed the attack on journalists during the city polls an isolated incident but said it should not have happened.
"I don't know where the reporters were attacked. I'll keep an eye out so that such incidents do not occur in the future. There are no major clashes during the elections," he added.
About the allegation that many councillors who were elected have cases against them and involved in casino business, the minister said: "Whoever is elected by people's votes becomes a public representative and I cannot ignore what people want."
