Dhaka, Feb. 12 -- Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said Bangladesh has taken a step forward in its democratic journey through the parliamentary elections, expressing satisfaction with what he described as a festive voting atmosphere.

After casting his ballot at Eskaton Garden High School in Dhaka at 9:45am on Thursday, he said he was "very happy" with the overall environment surrounding the polls.

Referring to the day's voting, the CEC said Bangladesh had moved ahead on the path of democracy and expressed optimism about the process.

"I promised that we would give the nation an election in a festive mode," he said.

Drawing a comparison with major religious holidays, the CEC said the mood resembled Eid travel, with people...