Dhaka, Feb. 14 -- The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has stressed that voter turnout is not the sole benchmark for a participatory election, as questions mounted over the absence of a major political party from the parliamentary race.

Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs addressed a press conference at a hotel in the capital on Saturday, noting that a truly inclusive process must involve all political and social groups.

The outcome of Thursday's election for 297 seats was announced, with a voter turnout of 59.44 percent.

Several reporters raised questions about whether the election could be considered "participatory" without the participation of the Awami League, a major political party of Bangladesh, which had been exclude...