EC ready for 4th phase UZ polls on Mar 31

The Election Commission (EC) has taken elaborate preparations to hold the fourth-phase upazila parishad (UZ) elections in a free and fair manner. According to the election schedule, the fourth-phase polls will be held in 122 upazilas under 19 districts on March 31. The EC has formed a monitoring cell, led by National Identity Card Registration Wing director general Mohammad Saidul Islam, to coordinate the law and order situation in the fourth-phase local body polls. A total of 88 candidates for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-person are likely to be elected uncontested in the fourth phase elections. Of them, 39 are chairman candidates, 22 vice-chairman contestants and 27 female vice-chairperson aspirants. To hold the fourth-phase

polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner, the EC will send ballot papers and other materials to polling centres on the morning of the voting day in a bid to avoid any untoward situation. The commission has appointed 110 judicial magistrates to prosecute any illegal activities and irregularities during the  elections.

Additional personnel of the police, RAB, BGB, Ansar-VDP, Coast Guard and the APBN have been deployed for five days to maintain law and order.

The EC has imposed a ban on plying of motorcycles, motorised vehicles and waterway transportations.

Restrictions on motorbikes came into effect two days ahead of the polling day and on the waterway transportations on the election day. Besides, The EC also banned displaying and carrying of licensed arms seven days ahead of the election.

The restriction will be applicable to motorised three-wheelers,. The ban imposed on the movement of motorcycles will be relaxed on inter-district roads, highways and connecting roads.

Besides, the vehicles of all officials performing election duty and law enforcement agencies, ambulances, Fire Service and Civil Defence, electricity, gas and telecom will be kept out of the purview of the restriction.

Meanwhile, the candidates for the post of chairman, vice-chairman and women vice-chairperson (reserved) are conducting massive campaigning for the fourth-phase UZ polls. The main contest will be held between AL-nominated candidates and party rebels, as other major political parties, including the BNP, earlier boycotted the polls, alleging that the government and EC failed to hold elections in a free, fair and credible manner.

The fifth local body elections are being held under the party banner for the first time.

The 122 upazilas include seven upazilas in Patuakhali district, six in Bhola, five in Barguna, seven in Pirojpur, eight in Jashore, nine in Khulna, nine in Bagerhat, 12 in Mymensingh, six in Munshiganj, three in Narayanganj, five in Dhaka, 12 in Tangail, 13 in Cumilla, seven in Noakhali, seven each in Brahmanbaria, Dinajpur Sadar, Coxsbazar Sadar and Narsingdi Sadar, and six upazilas in Feni district.

The last phase is likely to be held on June 18.

In the previous phases of local government elections, AL men, without any surprise, bagged the majority of chairman posts.

EC ready for 4th phase UZ polls on Mar 31

The Election Commission (EC) has taken elaborate preparations to hold the fourth-phase upazila parishad (UZ) elections in a free and fair manner. According to the election schedule, the fourth-phase polls will be held in 122 upazilas under 19 districts on March 31. The EC has formed a monitoring cell, led by National Identity Card Registration Wing director general Mohammad Saidul Islam, to coordinate the law and order situation in the fourth-phase local body polls. A total of 88 candidates for the posts of chairman, vice-chairman and female vice-person are likely to be elected uncontested in the fourth phase elections. Of them, 39 are chairman candidates, 22 vice-chairman contestants and 27 female vice-chairperson aspirants. To hold the fourth-phase polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner, the EC will send ballot papers and other materials to polling centres on the morning of the voting day in a bid to avoid any untoward situation. The commission has appointed 110 judicial magistrates to prosecute any illegal activities and irregularities during the elections. Additional personnel of the police, RAB, BGB, Ansar-VDP, Coast Guard and the APBN have been deployed for five days to maintain law and order. The EC has imposed a ban on plying of motorcycles, motorised vehicles and waterway transportations. Restrictions on motorbikes came into effect two days ahead of the polling day and on the waterway transportations on the election day. Besides, The EC also banned displaying and carrying of licensed arms seven days ahead of the election. The restriction will be applicable to motorised three-wheelers,. The ban imposed on the movement of motorcycles will be relaxed on inter-district roads, highways and connecting roads. Besides, the vehicles of all officials performing election duty and law enforcement agencies, ambulances, Fire Service and Civil Defence, electricity, gas and telecom will be kept out of the purview of the restriction. Meanwhile, the candidates for the post of chairman, vice-chairman and women vice-chairperson (reserved) are conducting massive campaigning for the fourth-phase UZ polls. The main contest will be held between AL-nominated candidates and party rebels, as other major political parties, including the BNP, earlier boycotted the polls, alleging that the government and EC failed to hold elections in a free, fair and credible manner. The fifth local body elections are being held under the party banner for the first time. The 122 upazilas include seven upazilas in Patuakhali district, six in Bhola, five in Barguna, seven in Pirojpur, eight in Jashore, nine in Khulna, nine in Bagerhat, 12 in Mymensingh, six in Munshiganj, three in Narayanganj, five in Dhaka, 12 in Tangail, 13 in Cumilla, seven in Noakhali, seven each in Brahmanbaria, Dinajpur Sadar, Coxsbazar Sadar and Narsingdi Sadar, and six upazilas in Feni district. The last phase is likely to be held on June 18. In the previous phases of local government elections, AL men, without any surprise, bagged the majority of chairman posts.