Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- Voter turnout in the Feb 12 election and referendum stood at 59.44 percent, according to the Election Commission (EC).

The vote was held on Thursday, with 127,711,793 registered voters eligible to cast ballots.

A total of 2,028 candidates from 50 political parties, along with independents, contested 299 parliamentary seats.

Turnout in the previous 12 elections was recorded at 55 percent, 51.12 percent, 59.58 percent, 54.92 percent, 55.45 percent, 26.5 percent, 74.96 percent, 75.59 percent, 87.13 percent, 40.04 percent, 80.20 percent and 41.8 percent.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin described the latest poll as one of the best, most acceptable and most festive in the country's history.

He said the commiss...