Elections to Khulna City Corporation (KCC) ended peacefully today with the participation of enthusiastic voters and tight security.
KCC polls end peacefully with the participation of enthusiastic voters
However, voters inside a number of polling centres cast their votes even after 4:00 pm as they could not cast their votes within the stipulated time due to the huge rush of voters and comparatively lower speed of some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Earlier, the voting started at 8:00 am in a festive mood amid a severe heat wave that ended peacefully at 4:00 pm.
While visiting a number of polling centres, this reporter found that voters cast their votes with zeal. At least 40 to 45 per cent of votes were cast till 3:00 pm, but an untoward incident was reported at Ward-21.
Talking to BSS, presiding officer of Goalpara Community Centre Mahananda Biswas said at least 47.5 per cent of votes were cast till 1:00 pm.
At least 35 per cent of votes were cast at Goalpara Secondary School Centre, while 30.22 per cent at Bangabandhu Government Primary School and 36.22 per cent at Zamia Tayeba Nurani Talimul Quran Madrasa Center till 2:00 pm, according to presiding officers.
“There are many polling centres without agents of my rival candidates. They did it intentionally aiming to complain that their agents were driven out from these centres. It is a conspiracy to make the election questionable,” said Talukder Abdul Khaleque after visiting some polling centres.
After visiting some polling centres, Jatiya Party’s Mayor candidate Shafiqul Islam Modhu (Plough) complained about the lower speed of some electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Returning Officer Md. Alauddin told BSS, “So far as I know, at the beginning of voting, some electronic voting machines (EVMs) were a little bit slow in a few centres, but after an hour, EVMs worked smoothly throughout the day.
“Voters inside some polling centres cast their votes even after 4:00 pm as the process could not be completed on time in those centres,” he said.
Election officials will collect results from presiding officers and unofficial results of KCC polls will be announced in the presence of contesting candidates, their representatives, and journalists at District Shilpakala Academy, he added.
According to local observers, the overall turnout might be between 45 and 50 per cent on average in KCC polls where the total number of voters is 5,35,522, including 2,68,828 males and 2,66,698 females.
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