Local Bangladesh Election Regarded as Key Step in Restoring Democracy | Voice of America - English
In Bangladesh, local elections held in the country are being described as an important first step in restoring democracy. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, these were the first elections in the country since an army-backed government cancelled national elections and imposed emergency rule last year.
A day after conducting alargely peaceful vote in four cities, Election Commission officialssaid the polls have sent a positive message that future elections inthe country will be free and fair. Independent election observers from home and overseas have also praised the conduct of the elections. Monday'selections were held to choose local representatives, and covered only afraction of Bangladesh's electorate. But they have been closelywatched, because they are seen as a test run for national electionswhich the army-backed government has promised to hold in December torestore democracy. The head of the independent National ElectionObservation Council, Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, says the voting was "fairand credible." He says there was no sign of rigging, fraud or violencethat has marred previous elections in the country. "Comparedto past elections in Bangladesh, the regularity of events yesterday waspromising for the anticipated December parliamentary elections, and itinspires confidence in the electoral road map and the electoralofficials implementing it," he said. The polls were conductedusing a new digital voter list prepared recently after eliminatingmillions of fake names in the electoral rolls. Voter turnoutwas high despite long delays in some places due to confusion over thenew identity system. Kalimullah of the National Election ObservationCouncil says the state of emergency did not deter voters. "Wefound from the very start, long queues, and those who received theirnational ID card [identity cards], proud owners of national ID cardsfor the first time in their lives, ventured out from their homes, andactually rushed to the polling stations," he said. Electionofficials say candidates linked to the Awami League party have sweptthe voting. The government had banned the direct involvement ofpolitical parties, but most candidates were backed by national parties.The political parties have been urging the interim government to liftemergency to enable the restoration of democracy. Bangladeshis due to hold another round of local polls by October. The ElectionCommission is then expected to announce a schedule for nationalelections.