40 per cent votes cast: CEC

The country has witnessed a turnout of about 40 per cent voters in the 12th national election held on Sunday.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said this at a press conference held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Sunday evening.

“Although we are not sure yet, on average the turnout was 40 per cent,” he said.

The polls were held peacefully except for a few sporadic incidents, he said.

Replying to a query of journalists, the CEC said, "I can't say whether the election has been accepted internationally or not, but it has been good".

The press conference was told that no death occurred due to the election violence. But two election officers died of heart attack and he expressed sympathy to bereaved families.

Voting in the general election began at 8am and ended at 4pm.