DHAKA: A total of 59.19 percent votes were cast in the 1st phase of upazila polls, says Election Working Group (EWG) at a press briefing Saturday.

EWG steering committee member AHM Noman outlined different issues regarding election observation.

In a written speech, he said, “EWG recruited 2035 election observers in the first phase of upazila polls and found the polls ended fairly.”

On February 19, the first phase of polls held in 97 upazillas.

BDST: 1600 HRS, FEB 22, 2014