We don’t release unofficial results to preserve transparency: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday (12 February) dismissed allegations of manipulation regarding voter turnout percentages during the election, saying variations are natural as results from thousands of polling centres arrive at different times.

“There were debates over turnout percentages in past elections as well. Please don’t question it now,” he said at a post-election briefing at 10pm.

However, he did not release the overall voter turnout.

Explaining the changes in reported percentages, the CEC said results from over 42,000 polling centres are received gradually and added cumulatively.

“When results come from so many centres at different times, variations are natural,” he added, denying any manipulation.

He noted that the Election Commission only counts results sent by returning officers with their signatures.

“There is no game of manipulation here. We are simply adding and announcing cumulative results,” he said.

Earlier, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said 47.91% of registered voters had cast ballots by 2pm at 36,031 out of 42,651 polling centres, with data from 6,620 centres still pending.

The referendum and 13th parliamentary election were held peacefully from 7:30am to 4:30pm across 299 of 300 constituencies.