The ruling Awami League said elections in 97 upazila parishads in the first phase were held peacefully amid high turnout of enthusiastic voters on Wednesday.
PM’s adviser HT Imam presented the party’s preliminary assessment at a press briefing at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s political office at Dhamondi shortly after the non-stop eight-hour voting closed at 4pm.“The first phase elections were held peacefully amid enthusiasm. We actually wanted this (a peaceful election). Awami League has always struggled for democracy. The Awami League has always fought to ensure the voting rights of people,” he said.
Referring to some incidents of violence he said, “These are stray incidents. It happens always.”
Replying to a query, the adviser dismissed the BNP’s allegation of election irregularities and harassment of BNP-backed candidates as false.
“BNP has been operating a lie factory since its birth. Rizvi (BNP’s joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi) tells lies all day long. BNP follows Joseph Goebbels style. They turn a lie into a truth by repeating it,” Imam said.
Terming the election a new beginning, HT Imam said the coming phases of the staggered elections will be more flawless.
Mentioning the USA ambassador’s polls observation with 50 US delegations in Rajshahi, HT Imam said there has been a huge interest to observe the polls.
PM another adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, AL organising secretaries AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury were, among others, present. -UNB
