55 percent of the votes were cast in EVM in the sixth phase

Except for a few isolated incidents, voting in the sixth phase of the UP elections was held neatly on Monday (January 31). However, there are some complications in voting in electronic voting machine (EVM) in different places. Older people are more embarrassed to vote because fingerprints do not match and EVM method is not understood. There were also errors in EVMs in many places, long queues of voters, all in all slower voting in EVMs. Votes are also low. Many were seen standing in long lines and unable to cast their ballots.

According to Election Commission sources, polling in 218 Union Parishads (UPs) was scheduled to be held but voting in two UPs was postponed on Sunday. EVM voting took place in 216 UPs yesterday.

Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Humayun Kabir Khandaker told reporters at the Election Building in the capital yesterday afternoon that the polling was conducted in a fair and beautiful environment. Voting in any of the centers was not suspended. However, EVM voting was slow. The vote has been low. About 55 percent of the votes were cast.

Asked about the reasons for low turnout in EVMs, the EC secretary said that mock voting was organized before voting in EVMs. Voters did not come as expected. For this reason, it took time to understand EVM while voting and the result was a long line outside. For this reason, many may return without voting.

After the voting, private results of 135 UPs were found till 10 pm yesterday. Among them, Awami League has won the post of chairman in 76 UPs. The rebel candidates of the Awami League have won 26 seats, the BNP leaders 21 seats as independents and 12 seats from other parties and independents.