Voter turnout surges in fair election

The number of voters increases in the elections which are held in free, fair and peaceful manner, results of previous polls show.

Polls observers said that the elections under the caretaker governments become fair. The voters feel encouraged to go to polling stations in a competitive election, they said adding the turnout of female voters also goes up if the security is ensured.

“People go to polling stations and cast their votes if elections become meaningful,” former caretaker government adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told Prothom Alo.

The 11th parliamentary election will be held under the ruling Awami League. Most of the political parties have decided to contest the polls on 30 December. Currently there are over 104 million voters. What would be the turnout cannot be predicted now.

According to statistics of a number of previous polls, the highest number of votes was casted during the caretaker governments. However, there is an exception in 1991 when 55 per cent votes were casted.

The record shows the turnout of voters was high in the ninth parliamentary election in 2008. A total of 87 per cent vote was casted.

In the eighth election of 2001, a total of 75 per cent vote was casted and the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance won the election and formed the government.

The seventh parliament election was held in June of 1996 under a caretaker government. The turnout of voters was 76 per cent. Awami League went to power, then.

After the fall of military ruler HM Ershad, a neutral caretaker government was formed and the fifth parliamentary election was held in 1991. The turnout of voters was 55 per cent and BNP ascended to power.

Statistics show the turnout falls in one-sided and controversial elections. During the tenure of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the sixth parliamentary election was held on 15 February, 1996. Major political parties including Awami League boycotted the election. Voter turnout was only 21 per cent.

The turnout of voters was low in the 5 January election during the tenure of Awami League. Main political parties including BNP boycotted the election. Only 19 per cent vote was casted.

Hossain Zillur said it is clear that these two elections were not meaningful.

This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam