EC favours political consensus on Army deployment in polls

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday said the Army would be deployed in the next parliamentary polls if all political parties arrive at a consensus on the issue.

“The EC will think positively about Army deployment if all political parties come to a consensus on the issue,” EC secretary Mohammad Abdullah told journalists at his office in the Election Bhaban in the capital.

“We have to discuss the matter at the commission. Generally, the presence of the Army is seen in all parliamentary polls. However, the commission cannot decide on the issue without any discussion with the political parties,” he said in reply to a query.

Recently, some top political leaders have emphasised the need for the deployment of the Army in the next general elections.

A few days back, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia said that the Army should be deployed in the next general elections.

Yesterday, Awami League (AL) general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Kader said the Army would act as a strike force in the next general elections.

Responding to a question, the EC secretary said: “After the election schedule is announced, all divisions of the executive body come under the jurisdiction of the EC as per law. If police and other forces show any laxity in carrying out their duties or deliberately do anything wrong, it would be considered a crime. The current commission will not hesitate in taking any stern steps to uphold its image. The commission has the legal power to take action against any misconduct during the election.”

The EC will sit to finalise the roadmap for holding the next parliamentary elections today. After the roadmap is finalised, the commission will publish the roadmap as a book on July 16.

An EC official said the commission had primarily planned to hold talks with representatives of the civil society on July 30, sit with former chief election commissioners and election commissioners on August 3, and talk with journalists on August 18.

The commission will hold talks with the registered political parties from August 25 to October 2 on the Representation of the People Order (RPO), demarcation of the parliamentary constituencies, voter list updates and other matters.

The EC will prepare the draft of the recommendations from the dialogues on November 18 and finalise the recommendations on December 18.

EC favours political consensus on Army deployment in polls

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday said the Army would be deployed in the next parliamentary polls if all political parties arrive at a consensus on the issue. The EC will think positively about Army deployment if all political parties come to a consensus on the issue, EC secretary Mohammad Abdullah told journalists at his office in the Election Bhaban in the capital. We have to discuss the matter at the commission. Generally, the presence of the Army is seen in all parliamentary polls. However, the commission cannot decide on the issue without any discussion with the political parties, he said in reply to a query. Recently, some top political leaders have emphasised the need for the deployment of the Army in the next general elections. A few days back, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia said that the Army should be deployed in the next general elections. Yesterday, Awami League (AL) general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Kader said the Army would act as a strike force in the next general elections. Responding to a question, the EC secretary said: After the election schedule is announced, all divisions of the executive body come under the jurisdiction of the EC as per law. If police and other forces show any laxity in carrying out their duties or deliberately do anything wrong, it would be considered a crime. The current commission will not hesitate in taking any stern steps to uphold its image. The commission has the legal power to take action against any misconduct during the election. The EC will sit to finalise the roadmap for holding the next parliamentary elections today. After the roadmap is finalised, the commission will publish the roadmap as a book on July 16. An EC official said the commission had primarily planned to hold talks with representatives of the civil society on July 30, sit with former chief election commissioners and election commissioners on August 3, and talk with journalists on August 18. The commission will hold talks with the registered political parties from August 25 to October 2 on the Representation of the People Order (RPO), demarcation of the parliamentary constituencies, voter list updates and other matters. The EC will prepare the draft of the recommendations from the dialogues on November 18 and finalise the recommendations on December 18.