The April 9 by-elections in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 were generally peaceful and orderly while there were several procedural and administrative shortcomings, according to Alliance for Fair Election and Democracy (AFED), a platform of 30 civil society organisations supported by the European Union.

“We observed a largely calm environment where voters were able to participate,” said AFED spokesperson Harun-Or-Rashid at a press conference.

“At the same time, there are areas that require improvement to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

While polling largely began on time and ballot secrecy was maintained, AFED reported that 32 percent of polling stations were not accessible to persons with disabilities.

Observers also found inconsistencies in voter identification procedures in 12 percent of polling stations. Besides, indications of proxy voting were reported in 11 percent of observed centres.

Voter turnout was significantly lower compared to the February 12 national elections, it said.

AFED recorded moderate turnout in 64 percent of polling stations and low turnout in 31 percent.

AFED’s observation of postal voting, including a pilot initiative for out-of-country voting (OCV), found the counting process to be transparent but participation to be low.

In Bogura-6, only 1,068 of 3,736 issued postal ballots were returned, with many rejected due to procedural errors such as missing declaration forms.

Observers recorded six notable incidents during polling.

The most serious occurred at Shreebordi Islamia Kamil Madrasa centre in Sherpur-3, where clashes between rival supporters left five people injured.

Based on reports from 53 observers deployed across 103 polling centres, AFED recommended strengthening training for polling officials to ensure strict adherence to procedures, ensuring full accessibility for voters with disabilities at all polling stations, enforcing campaign silence rules more strictly, expanding eligibility for postal voting to include observers, media personnel, and homebound voters

Among those present at the press conference were Taleya Rehman, Chairperson of Democracywatch and AFED board member; Binoy Krishna Mollick, Executive Director of Right Jessore; AH M Nouman, Chairperson of DORP; and Md Harun-Or-Rashid, AFED Member Secretary.