Troops to be deployed during upazila polls

Chief Election Commissioner, ATM Shamsul Huda, yesterday said the Election Commission has taken decision that the army along with law enforcement agencies will be deployed from January 20 to 24 to maintain law and order and ensure free, fair and credible upazila elections.
He said the violence that followed the general election has prompted the Election Commission to take the decision to deploy the troops during the upazila polls.
The CEC also said the election would be suspended in the area wherever the law and order would deteriorate or the voters would not be able to cast their votes freely.
Dr Huda was talking to newsmen after a scheduled meeting with the representatives of all law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, high officials of the home ministry and government officials concerned in the auditorium of the National Economic Council to review law and order before the elections to 481 upazilas.
"A lot of law enforcers will be deployed in the polling centres due to maintain law and order and ensure a free, fair, and credible election," he added.
BSS adds: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday directed the authorities concerned to maintain law and order at the highest level during the upcoming Upazila parishad polls.
The CEC gave the directives while addressing a review meeting on law and order at NEC auditorium here. Election Commissioners Muhammad Sahul Hossain and Brig Gen (Rtd) M Shakhawat Hossain were present.
The CEC said, terrorists and toll collectors have to be kept in control and steps have to be taken so that they could not raise their heads again ahead of the local government polls. Referring to deployment of armed forces during the polls period, he said that the decision to deploy army from January 20 to January 24 has been taken following some post election incidents.
The army personnel have to intensify their patrol near the polling stations to avert any untoward incidents, he added.
Dr Huda also asked the members of law enforcement agencies to remain alert so that none can take any chance using the name of party in power.
Lauding the role of members of law enforcement agencies specially the police forces during the December 29 elections, he said, their utmost sincerity and efforts helped the EC to stage a free, fair and credible election that was acclaimed at home and abroad.
The CEC firmly said that the EC is pledged bound to ensure a congenial atmosphere towards holding the upcoming upazila election in a free, fair and credible manner. The culture of ousting the voters from polling centres by the opponent party or terrorists have to be prevented at any cost, he asserted. He said, one judicial magistrate or executive magistrate would be deployed in each upazila within one or two days and they would be given briefing about their responsibilities. He said, necessary steps have already been taken so that each voter can cast vote in favour of his or her chosen candidate without fear and intimidation.
Returning Officer, chiefs of police, BDR and others intelligent agencies and district returning officers, among others, attended the meeting.
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