National

41.8% votes cast in national polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said 41.8% percent votes were cast in the 12th national parliamentary elections held on Sunday.

He made the announcement at the Election Commission building in the capital’s Agargaon on Monday noon.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the CEC said 40% votes were cast in the polls. But it may increase or decrease.

Awami League candidates won in 223 seats, while independent candidates won 61 seats, according to the unofficial election results announced till 4am on Monday. 

Besides, Jatiya Party got victorious in only 11 seats and the AL’s allies the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and the Workers Party won one each. The Bangladesh Kalyan Party, which had once been in the BNP-led coalition, also secured a win in one seat.

However, the election result of Mymensingh-3 constituency was suspended over irregularities in one polling centre. 

The Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 constituencies out of 300 ones as the Election Commission earlier postponed the election to Naogaon-2 following the death of independent candidate Aminul Islam.

A total of 1,970 candidates, including 1,534 from 28 political parties and 436 independents, vied in the polls.