Exit poll survey in Rajshahi

Our CorrespondentbrRAJSHAHI, Sept 5 An Exit Poll survey conducted by International Republican Institute (IRI) with assistance from the British High Commission suggests ninety per cent of Rajshahi's voters consider Rajshahi City Corporation election held on August 4 was Free and fair with 78 per cent reporting no problems, no difficulties or no irregularities. However, the most common bottleneck during the casting of votes was waiting at the long queue by voters for a lengthy time to cast their votes. Only one per cent of the voters termed the vote totally unacceptable.brWhile asked about the expectations from the elected representatives by the voters, 22 per cent demanded arrest of price spiral, 13 per cent demanded end of corruption, nine per cent demanded stopping of crime, eight per cent demanded food security, seven per cent demanded supply of gas and smooth supply of electricity, seven per cent demanded job creation, six per cent for solving transportation problem and an end to drug addiction and poverty alleviation.brThe exit poll survey was conducted among 10,019 voters from 50 randomly selected polling centres out of 129 under RCC. Among the respondents, 49.69 per cent were female and 50.13 per cent were male.brThe exit poll provides independent verification that the ballots cast by voters in Rajshahi on August 4 were counted accurately. Interviews with voters exiting polling centres closely match the results of balloting with only two per cent variations.brSpeaking with the Civil Society leaders at Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries auditorium this morning, IRI Resident Country Director Jeff Vanness said, exit polls was one tool used in many democracies to increase the transparency of elections and solidify public confidence in the results by showing them that their votes were counted.brIn an answer to the question, Jeff Vanness informed that IRI did not face any problem anywhere in Rajshahi while conducting the exit polls survey even during the Emergency. He, however, did not answer clearly whether the next elections of the country will be held under Emergency. We are only concerned with the surveying of the voters and it was not our concern on what condition the polls are being held, said the country director of IRI.