Staff Reporter :
Mentioning the low voters turnout in the Dhaka’s city corporations election, Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that the apathy of voters during the city polls is not good for the country’s democracy.
“Considering the public support for us (AL), we had expected more votes in our favour. But, the percentage
was low. It’s a matter of concern for us,” he said.
Quader made the remarks while talking to journalists at his Secretariat office on Tuesday. The full use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the elections is a new experience, he said, adding that there were some mistakes but many people found it easier and simpler.
He said the negative campaign against EVM was the main reasons behind the low voter turnout. “However, it was a good election. In the future, political parties will play a role in mobilizing public opinion by learning from these mistakes,” Quader said.
In a query, he said, “We did not get votes as per our expectation. Many went to their village homes in the two-day holiday during the city corporations’ polls. Moreover, SSC examination, transport shortage and our organisational weaknesses were also responsible. Hopefully, the mistakes can be avoided in future. However, the overall election was fair and good.”
“We will assess and analyze the elections once Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returns home from abroad,” the minister said.
