Despite the Election Commission’s expectation of a higher voter turnout than the phase-1 of Upazila elections, it dropped in the second phase of voting held on Mar 18.
Voter turnout in phase-2 has stood at 41.25 percent against 43.32 percent in the previous phase.
An analysis of the polls result shows, elections at Upazilas in the two hill tract districts came out to be more competitive than other parts of the country.
However, results of eight Upazilas in Rangamati have been withheld following an ambush on a vehicle carrying polls officials after the voting. Unidentified gunmen attacked the vehicle in Baghaichhari Upazila town leaving seven people, including a polling officer and security personnel killed.
Among the 532,973 voters in the 13 Upazilas of Rangamati and Khagrachhari, 322,266 voters exercised their franchises, which accounts for 60.47 percent.
The highest voter turnout in phase-2 Upazila election was recorded at Khagracchari’s Mahalchhari Upazila, which stood at 79.67 percent while the lowest number of people exercised their franchises in Sylhet’s South Surma Upazila — a meager 8.63 percent.