Dhaka, May 8 -- chairman Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Wednesday lamented the poor voter turnout in the first phase of upazila elections, attributing it to the alleged destruction of the country's electoral system.

"The televisions are depicting a troubling scenario where polling centres remain empty during today's (Wednesday's) upazila polls. Why is this situation happening?" he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also deplored that people now do not go to the polling stations as they cannot exercise their right to franchise to elect the representatives of their choice.

"Why can't people cast their votes? Why have people's democratic rights been obliterated? Why is there no rule of law in the country? Why are people depriv...