NEXT GENERAL POLLS

EC ‘positive’ about army deployment

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar yesterday said that the Election Commission was positive regarding the deployment of army during the next general elections, but divulged that the commission has no plan to use Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs in the polls. The commissioner, however, said that the commission was yet to decide whether the army will have magistracy power, if deployed. Commissioner Talukdar was talking to journalists at the ‘Nirbachan Bhaban’ in the capital’s Agargaon.

“We (the commissioners) have discussed with the chief election commissioner and all of us feel that the army should be deployed during the polls. This cannot yet be labelled as the commission’s decision. Time will say about the process of the army deployment,” he told reporters.

“Time will determine what decision

we are going to take. Right at this moment, I can’t say that the army will not be deployed during the upcoming polls,” the commissioner added.

During its recent dialogue with the Election Commission, BNP demanded the deployment of army during the polls, but with magistracy power.

When asked whether the commission’s decision is in line with the BNP demand, Talukdar said the BNP demanded army deployment with magistracy power and he has no comment regarding that particular demand.

Regarding EVMs, the commissioner said the commission does not think that the machines must be used during the next polls, but, he said, those can be used in the future.

 

NEXT GENERAL POLLS

EC positive about army deployment

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar yesterday said that the Election Commission was positive regarding the deployment of army during the next general elections, but divulged that the commission has no plan to use Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs in the polls. The commissioner, however, said that the commission was yet to decide whether the army will have magistracy power, if deployed. Commissioner Talukdar was talking to journalists at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capitals Agargaon. We (the commissioners) have discussed with the chief election commissioner and all of us feel that the army should be deployed during the polls. This cannot yet be labelled as the commissions decision. Time will say about the process of the army deployment, he told reporters. Time will determine what decision we are going to take. Right at this moment, I cant say that the army will not be deployed during the upcoming polls, the commissioner added. During its recent dialogue with the Election Commission, BNP demanded the deployment of army during the polls, but with magistracy power. When asked whether the commissions decision is in line with the BNP demand, Talukdar said the BNP demanded army deployment with magistracy power and he has no comment regarding that particular demand. Regarding EVMs, the commissioner said the commission does not think that the machines must be used during the next polls, but, he said, those can be used in the future.