<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b><font color="#085294">Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said voter turnout is relatively higher in rural areas compared to Dhaka, and expressed optimism over healthy turnout of voters as the day progresses.</font></b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I couldn't cast my vote for many years as I was abroad. My father used to come with my mother. As my father passed away few years back, I came here to cast my vote with my mother,” he told reporters after casting his vote at the Teachers Training Centre under Dhaka-10 constituency.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary said foreign observers are monitoring the polls since this morning and they are willing to share their impressions after voting is completed.</div><div><br></div><div>Over 127 foreign observers are monitoring the polls apart from journalists from overseas.</div><div><br></div><div>"So far, the environment is peaceful," he added.</div><div><br></div><div>The Election Commission is confident about holding the election through a transparent process, the Foreign Secretary said.</div><div><br></div><div>Turnout is a key factor but it needs to be seen whether the entire process was transparent and smooth, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Asked about Western countries’ impression over the possible low voter turnout, the Foreign Secretary said it is for them to consider.</div><div><br></div><div>"If there is healthy turnout, it will go in favor of the election and its credibility," he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The Foreign Secretary also said the foreigners who interacted with him personally expressed their concerns over the deaths of people in arson attacks on trains.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign observers and some of the diplomats are monitoring the polls. They will talk to the media after 5 pm today. According to UNB reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>