A day after the national election and referendum, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today said that all “ill intentions” and “apprehensions” have been swept away following the voting.

“We (the EC) are grateful to the people of the country. People took part in this joyful event with satisfaction. Just as no straw can survive in floodwater, all ill intentions and fears have been washed away by this flood [the people’s response through voting]. In the end, as a nation, we have emerged victorious.”

He expressed this sentiment today in his closing speech while formally announcing the election results at the Election Commission in Agargaon.

Referring to the importance of the election, the former army officer said, “There is nothing related to our national dignity, image, investment, or employment that was not connected to this election.”

He added, “From the Election Commission’s side, we did not treat it as just an election. We accepted it as a sacred trust given by the people.”

Sanaullah said, “Thousands of thanks to Allah. By His mercy, we were able to hold a fair election. People participated with enthusiasm and spontaneity, like during the Eid festival.”

He further said that the morning of February 13 would be remembered as a “good morning” in Bangladesh’s history. The election would remain an important milestone for the nation in its renewed democratic journey. Any mistakes made were unintentional, he added.

He also expressed hope that Bangladesh’s democracy would never go off its designated track and that the country would set better examples of elections in the future.