CEC talks tough against irregularities

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said no irregularities would be tolerated in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls on December 22. “We are committed to holding free, fair and impartial polls for NCC and we would do so. All candidates are same to us,” the CEC said at a meeting held to exchange views with the poll candidates at the Narayanganj Club auditorium.
At the meeting, BNP mayoral candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan and Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kamal Prodhan demanded Army deployment for the polls. The other mayoral candidates, except the Awami League’s Selina Hayat Ivy, expressed apprehensions over the spread of black money and threats to the voters. Ivy, however, said the election environment was normal and she would welcome any move by the EC to hold fair polls.
The CEC heard the opinions of the candidates with patience. He was silent on the suggestion for Army deployment, but warned the candidates against threats to religious minority voters.
“You (candidates) will not spread money nor allow others to do it. The candidates have to submit their expenditures to the EC. No irregularities would be tolerated,” he added.
Ahmad said the polling centres would be protected and law enforcers would remain alert before and after the polls. “I would tell the law enforcers to treat a mischief-maker like any other miscreant, without considering his or her party affiliation,” he said. He also said the voters were very conscious and would set an example in the polls. “The candidates should accept the verdict of the voters,” he added. The CEC assured the gathering that rapid action would be taken if the EC finds any specific allegation. On curbing the spread of black money, he said, “Mobile teams led by executive magistrates would function at night to thwart the menace.” Ahmad also directed the law enforcers to take action against terrorists, but urged them to remain cautious so that no innocent person is harassed. Election commissioners Abu Hafiz and Mohammad Abdul Mobarak, EC secretary Mohammad Abdullah, Narayanganj deputy commissioner Rabbi Mia, and Dhaka divisional commissioner Helaluddin and others were also present on the occasion.

CEC talks tough against irregularities

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said no irregularities would be tolerated in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls on December 22. We are committed to holding free, fair and impartial polls for NCC and we would do so. All candidates are same to us, the CEC said at a meeting held to exchange views with the poll candidates at the Narayanganj Club auditorium. At the meeting, BNP mayoral candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan and Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kamal Prodhan demanded Army deployment for the polls. The other mayoral candidates, except the Awami Leagues Selina Hayat Ivy, expressed apprehensions over the spread of black money and threats to the voters. Ivy, however, said the election environment was normal and she would welcome any move by the EC to hold fair polls. The CEC heard the opinions of the candidates with patience. He was silent on the suggestion for Army deployment, but warned the candidates against threats to religious minority voters. You (candidates) will not spread money nor allow others to do it. The candidates have to submit their expenditures to the EC. No irregularities would be tolerated, he added. Ahmad said the polling centres would be protected and law enforcers would remain alert before and after the polls. I would tell the law enforcers to treat a mischief-maker like any other miscreant, without considering his or her party affiliation, he said. He also said the voters were very conscious and would set an example in the polls. The candidates should accept the verdict of the voters, he added. The CEC assured the gathering that rapid action would be taken if the EC finds any specific allegation. On curbing the spread of black money, he said, Mobile teams led by executive magistrates would function at night to thwart the menace. Ahmad also directed the law enforcers to take action against terrorists, but urged them to remain cautious so that no innocent person is harassed. Election commissioners Abu Hafiz and Mohammad Abdul Mobarak, EC secretary Mohammad Abdullah, Narayanganj deputy commissioner Rabbi Mia, and Dhaka divisional commissioner Helaluddin and others were also present on the occasion.