Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- The Election Commission (EC) has expressed its gratitude and thanks to the countrymen for helping make the national elections and referendum "festive".

It has also requested special prayers and supplications to be held on Friday.

In a statement after the vote, the commission said: "The Bangladesh Election Commission thanks and expresses its gratitude to all political parties, candidates, law-enforcing agencies, government and private officials and employees responsible for the election, observers, media workers, voters, and the countrymen for providing all-round cooperation in making the referendum and the 13th national elections free, fair, impartial, and festive.

"The Election Commission has requested all concerned ...