The Election Commission (EC) included a total of 2.70,742 new voters during its countrywide drive to update the current voters' list which was started in early April and concluded on April 27. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Mohammad Abu Hena said yesterday.

A total of 4.62,495 people applied for being listed voters during the drive, the CEC said. Of which. 40.143 applications were rejected as they were not found eligible for inclusion In the list while the final decision over the remaining 1,51.610 applicants would be taken by the EC soon, he said.

A total of 802 names were omitted from the original voters list finalised before the February 15 parliamentary Klls for reasons of false en-tment. death or other reasons. the CEC said adding that cases of another 286 names from the original list were pending with the EC.

According to an updated version of the voters' list, there were a total of 5.64.19,122 voters in the country. EC sources said.