Calling the January-7 election a victory of democracy and people of the country, ruling Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Sunday evening that voters had boycotted the BNP for rejecting the election.

He made the claim while talking to reporters at the office of Dhaka district unit of Awami League in Dhaka’s Tejgaon.

“The BNP did not participate in the election but they wanted to foil the election. The BNP carried out terrorism and arson attacks to thwart the election, but the people rejected them through ballots,” he said.

Read: CEC estimates 40 per cent turnout in Sunday’s election, appreciates govt cooperation

People gave massive support to the Awami League through extending their support to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.

Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, said the Election Commissioner has already told more than 40 percent of the vote cast.

Calling the election a victory of democracy, he said they were most grateful to the people of Bangladesh in the 12th parliamentary election.

Through this election, the people of the whole world and Bangladesh have witnessed the victory of the people, he claimed.

Read: BNP salutes voters for making its boycott call a success

Quader said the people voted for the candidates of their choice and there was no intimidation or interference in voting.

The election will strengthen the democratic progress further, he added.