Election can be free, fair under party govt: CEC

Chief Election Commi-ssioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Sunday, "12th general election was held in a free and fair manner and within short time we would know whether or not the polls would be acceptable to the international community.

Speaking at a press conference at his office, he said, "This election proved that election could be free and fair under a party government. The government helped to make it possible."
He said that, "40 per cent of votes were cast across Bangladesh."

"We feared that voter turnout will be low as an opposition party conducted a negative campaign against the election," he said.

No major violence was reported during the election, he said.

He said some irregularities were reported and action was taken on the basis of complaints
"It is our success that we could hold the election without violence. We tried to make it free and fair, he said.

In response to a question about violence, he said: "I am not thinking about it, my responsibility was to hold the election. The law enforcers will look into those issues."

He said, no deaths occurred due to violence, but  two officials died due to cardiac arrest.

After casting his vote at Habibullah Bahar College Centre at Shantinagar in the capital, he said, "I have just cast my vote. I would request you to report about transparency in voting, if there is any mistrust among people about voting, it will be addressed."

 In response to a journalists question regarding low voter turnout, he said: "I don know anything about voter turnout being low or high. I just came and cast my vote. If there is any problem, I will see it."