More than 55 percent voter turnout expected: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser of the interim government, Md Touhid Hossain, has expressed optimism that voter turnout in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will exceed 55 percent.

He made the remarks on Sunday, February 1, at the closing ceremony of a journalism training workshop on election reporting organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), at a hotel in Dhaka.

Touhid Hossain said voter turnout in the 1991 election was 55 per cent and expressed confidence that this time it would be higher.

He said no election has ever been held entirely without incident, but measures have already been taken regarding recent occurrences. Ensuring a credible and peaceful election remains the government’s priority.

Speaking about the “Yes” vote, he said there had been initial confusion among voters. Jamaat and NCP supported the “Yes” vote earlier, followed by the BNP chairman. As major parties are now in favour, he believes the “Yes” vote will pass easily.

He also said the Foreign Ministry has no information regarding any post-election visit by the Chief Adviser to Japan.

UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller addressed the programme. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin presided over the event, while General Secretary Abu Hena Imrul Qayes also spoke.