One third polling centres �risky�

Identifies Election Commission

A third of the polling centres for the municipality elections scheduled on December 30 have been identified as ‘risky’, according to Election Commission (EC) sources.
The EC has identified 1,184 out of 3,403 polling centres across the 233 municipalities as ‘important’. Most of these are in Khulna Division, where 195 out of the 471 centres (41.4%) have been deemed ‘important’.
As many as 348 out of the 991 centres have been deemed ‘important’ in Dhaka Division, 118 out of the 304 centres in Rangpur, 195 out of the 471 centres in Rajshahi, 45 out of the 189 centres in Sylhet, 63 out of the 167 centres in Barisal, and 169 out of the 480 centres in Chittagong.

The EC has marked ‘important’ those centres where the BNP and Jamaat-Shibir, or any other party, may spark trouble. It fears that clashes may erupt in some centres, especially where more than one candidate of Awami League (AL) and BNP are contesting. The commission also believes certain orthodox religious groups may try to spark trouble in some centres.
The EC has recommended security beef-up and patrol by the forces 48 hours before and after the polls. It has suggested round-the-clock patrol in minority-dominated areas by mobile courts before and after the election.
Various field-level reports have claimed sporadic armed clashes among candidates during poll campaign. These have spread insecurity among the voters. The EC’s identification of a third of the polling centres as ‘risky’ essentially implies failure on part of the law enforcers.
Election commissioner Md Shah Nawaz yesterday said the EC would take ‘direct action’, instead of issuing letters to different persons, including lawmakers, for violating the election code of conduct.
“There is no time to issue letters. Direct action has to be taken. I’ll tell the returning officers that there are magistrates in the field. They will take prompt action against the guilty,” he told journalists.
Regarding the allegation of the violation of the election code of conduct, Shah Nawaz said, “It’s not correct that the election has gone out of our control. We’ve reports of one or two stray incidents. Proper action will be taken against anyone trying to create trouble.”
Brushing off the suggestion that the EC has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister out of sheer helplessness, the election commissioner said, “I’ve sought the cooperation of the head of the state in case the lawmakers try to breach the law. We should expect the support of all to ensure a fair election.”
“It’s not possible for the EC alone to hold elections. Everyone should support it legally. A concerted effort is necessary. It’s not wrong or an indication of helplessness to seek cooperation from someone,” he added.
Earlier, the EC had issued letters to 50 persons, including candidates and lawmakers, for alleged violation of the election code of conduct during campaign. EC sources said about 30 persons, including lawmakers, replied to their letters, apologised and promised not to repeat such misdeeds.

 

 

One third polling centres �risky�

Identifies Election Commission

A third of the polling centres for the municipality elections scheduled on December 30 have been identified as risky, according to Election Commission (EC) sources. The EC has identified 1,184 out of 3,403 polling centres across the 233 municipalities as important. Most of these are in Khulna Division, where 195 out of the 471 centres (41.4%) have been deemed important. As many as 348 out of the 991 centres have been deemed important in Dhaka Division, 118 out of the 304 centres in Rangpur, 195 out of the 471 centres in Rajshahi, 45 out of the 189 centres in Sylhet, 63 out of the 167 centres in Barisal, and 169 out of the 480 centres in Chittagong. The EC has marked important those centres where the BNP and Jamaat-Shibir, or any other party, may spark trouble. It fears that clashes may erupt in some centres, especially where more than one candidate of Awami League (AL) and BNP are contesting. The commission also believes certain orthodox religious groups may try to spark trouble in some centres. The EC has recommended security beef-up and patrol by the forces 48 hours before and after the polls. It has suggested round-the-clock patrol in minority-dominated areas by mobile courts before and after the election. Various field-level reports have claimed sporadic armed clashes among candidates during poll campaign. These have spread insecurity among the voters. The ECs identification of a third of the polling centres as risky essentially implies failure on part of the law enforcers. Election commissioner Md Shah Nawaz yesterday said the EC would take direct action, instead of issuing letters to different persons, including lawmakers, for violating the election code of conduct. There is no time to issue letters. Direct action has to be taken. Ill tell the returning officers that there are magistrates in the field. They will take prompt action against the guilty, he told journalists. Regarding the allegation of the violation of the election code of conduct, Shah Nawaz said, Its not correct that the election has gone out of our control. Weve reports of one or two stray incidents. Proper action will be taken against anyone trying to create trouble. Brushing off the suggestion that the EC has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister out of sheer helplessness, the election commissioner said, Ive sought the cooperation of the head of the state in case the lawmakers try to breach the law. We should expect the support of all to ensure a fair election. Its not possible for the EC alone to hold elections. Everyone should support it legally. A concerted effort is necessary. Its not wrong or an indication of helplessness to seek cooperation from someone, he added. Earlier, the EC had issued letters to 50 persons, including candidates and lawmakers, for alleged violation of the election code of conduct during campaign. EC sources said about 30 persons, including lawmakers, replied to their letters, apologised and promised not to repeat such misdeeds.