Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that the apathy of the people towards votes is unfavourable for democracy.

He made the remark on Tuesday (Feb 4), while talking to journalists. When asked to comment on the low turnout of voters, he observed: “The working committee will be evaluating this; the prime minister has asked for the working committee and once she is back there will be a meeting.”

EVM is a new experience and there may be some errors but those who have voted have extolled the system as facile.

Many people have gone to their villages and so the turnout was low, said the minister.

“The BNP does not have the main leadership and they have done quite well considering their condition.”

“We also have organizational weakness and need to learn from this,” he added.

Commenting on the attack on journalists Obaidul Quader, said: “This is an isolated incident; given the size of the election, the violence has been comparatively low.”

This was Obaidul Quader’s first briefing after his admission to the hospital on Jan 31.