Voting slow, but fair election: Monirul

Independent mayor candidate in the Cumilla City Corporation elections, Monirul Haque.Prothom Alo

Independent candidate in Cumilla City Corporation elections, Md Monirul Haque (Sakku), said the administration has organised a fair election.

He, however, said the voters had to wait for hours as the pace of casting vote was slow. The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) didn't work properly while turnout of voters was smaller than expected due to inclement weather, he added.

Monirul, who was expelled from BNP for contesting in the elections, gave these reactions to Prothom Alo to his residence at Nanua Dighir Par in Cumilla city on Wednesday just after the voting was finished.

Monirul Haque said, "Candidate of 'boat' gathered outsiders at different polling stations and showed muscle power. They are not voters in the concerned locality. I believe the residents of Cumilla have given verdict in favour of me. I am waiting for results."

Voting continued from 8:00am to 4:00pm at a stretch on Wednesday.

Returning officer Md Shahedunnabi Chowdhury said the turnout of voters was more or less 60 per cent. Voting continued in several polling stations even after the stipulated time, he added.

Monirul Haque alleged "AL candidate brought out showdown gathering outsiders in front of different polling stations. They were not the voters of concerned centres. I believe people have casted their votes for me. Now, I am waiting for the result."