Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today expressed optimism that the upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, will be held in a fair and peaceful manner.

He expressed the hope while speaking at the closing session of a training programme organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at a city hotel.

The adviser also said voter turnout in the upcoming national election would exceed 55 percent, citing political consensus and past electoral participation.

“I believe turnout in this election will be more than 55 percent,” he said, noting that voter turnout in the 1991 national election stood at 55 percent.

Responding to a question, Touhid Hossain said there had earlier been confusion among some people over the “Yes” vote, but major political parties had now expressed support for it.

“People usually vote following their party’s position. Since the major parties are now in favour of the ‘Yes’ vote, I think it will pass quite easily,” he added.

On a separate issue, the adviser said he was not concerned about Pakistan’s decision regarding participation in the World Cup cricket tournament, calling it an internal matter.

“Pakistan never said they would not play; they said they would consider it. Our decision not to play in India is our own, and whether Pakistan plays or not is entirely up to them,” he said.

“Foreign diplomats speak here because a large segment of our society wants them to speak. We cannot always place the blame on them,” he said in reply to a question.

At the event, Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, also delivered remarks.

The programme was chaired by DCAB President A K M Moinuddin, while DCAB General Secretary Abu Hena Imrul Kayes also spoke.