41.8 percent voter turnout: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said that 41.8 percent votes were cast in the 12th National Assembly elections. He gave this information after a meeting with the Japanese ambassador and the country‍‍`s observer team on Monday afternoon.

While 27 percent polled till 3 pm, 13 percent polled in the last hour. The unusual results are being criticized in various quarters. When the CEC was asked to comment on this, he said, "When the information is given at 2 am or 3 am, it is not correct in any way. At 10 pm, all the correct information is known. Now it stands at 41.8 percent. If anyone has doubts, they can challenge".

The CEC also said, ‍‍`If you think the numbers has been extended then you are welcome to challenge our dishonesty".

Earlier, the Election Commission Secretary said that 27 percent votes were cast in yesterday‍‍`s briefing at 3 pm. Later, CEC said that 40 percent votes were cast in the last briefing around 5 pm. There is a discussion in various circles about the unusual vote casting in the last hour.

Meanwhile, regarding the meeting with the Japanese ambassador and observers, CEC said, "They had a courtesy meeting with us. Their main purpose was to thank us. They said they will give a report."

The CEC said, "They are very satisfied with the monitoring of the vote.  They believe that the election is an example for Bangladesh."

Earlier, the Japan observer said, "We observed the election. The report will be published later".