United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Thursday expressed its gratitude to political parties, candidates, law enforcement personnel, government and private officials on election duty, observers, media workers, voters and the people of Bangladesh for their overall cooperation in making the referendum and the 13th national election free, fair, impartial and festive. In a press release, the commission also urged all concerned to arrange special prayers at mosques after Friday’s Juma prayers for the country’s peace, prosperity and development. EC to take strict action if evidence of vote buying is found It further requested other places of worship to hold special prayers at convenient times for the same purpose. Voting in Bangladesh’s national election concluded on Thursday in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms. The polling began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm without interruption at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies, amid the deployment of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters also participated in a referendum to express their views through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes on proposals for several constitutional amendments. Hidden cameras on police, drones deployed to prevent chaos: EC