'Municipal polls were free, fair'
The just concluded municipal elections across the country were free and fair except for a few stray incidents, says a report of Election Working Group (EWG), an alliance of non-government organisations.
The report released yesterday at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity also read that in the first three days, the polls were free from political influence but the last day witnessed direct political influence in some municipalities.
About the role of Election Commission (EC), it said the EC proved itself to be impartial through holding free and fair elections and gained people's trust.
But some incidents of violence would not have happened had the EC been more active, the report said.
Reading out the report summary, EWG Co-chairman Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah said turnout rate of women voters has been significant in the polls.
Besides, the polls witnessed positive changes in behaviour of candidates, voters and law enforcement agencies.
Referring to the report, Kalimullah, however, said contenders violated election code in some municipalities including Bhola, Chapainawabganj, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Munshiganj while stuffing ballot boxes with fake votes was seen at Jamalpur, Narayanganj, Sherpur and Chapainawabganj polling stations.
No special arrangements were made for disabled and elderly people in 81 polling stations.
EWG co-chairman, Taleya Rahman also spoke.
The EWC prepared the report after its 390 workers visited 78 municipalities across the country and collected data during the polls.
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