The Election Commission (EC) has almost completed preparations for the Dhaka city corporation polls slated for February 1. Candidates are busy carrying out last-minute campaigning as it’s scheduled to end Thursday midnight. Plying of motorbikes in the election areas would also be banned from midnight till 6pm on February 2.
The EC will deploy Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in election areas for the security of voters and polling centres, while executive and judicial magistrates would take legal action for violation of the electoral code of conduct. The commission has started sending election materials to all centres of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
As electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in all centres, the EC is showing voters how these will work. As part of making voters aware of casting votes using the EVMs, the EC will hold mock voting at different polling centres today. Sources in the EC said about 35,000 EVMs are ready to use. At each centre, there will be army technicians to extend assistance if the machines do not function or malfunction.
The EC is also training persons who will work during the elections, the sources added. The commission will provide training to 64 judicial magistrates who would be deployed for the elections. The training and briefing will begin at the Election Training Institute in the capital today.
Local and foreign observers
The EC will allow local and foreign observers to monitor the elections. There will be 67 foreign observers. Of them, 27 will be from the United States (US), 12 from the United Kingdom, six each from Switzerland and the Netherlands, five each from Japan and the European Union, four from Norway, two from Denmark. On January 20, US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller told journalists at Nirbachan Bhaban that the US would deploy its observers to see how the democratic process works. There will be around 1,013 local observers to monitor the polls. EC sources, however, said that the commission would also deploy its own observers.
Ban on motorbikes
There will be a ban on plying of motorbikes from midnight. The restriction in the election areas will be effective from Thursday midnight to February 2 morning (6am). In addition, plying of baby-taxis or auto-rickshaws, taxicabs, microbuses, jeeps, pickups, cars, buses, trucks, and other motor-driven vehicles will be restricted from January 31 midnight to February 1 evening (6pm).
As per Provision 31 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, the commission has imposed a ban on the movement of motorcycles for 54 hours and motorised vehicles for 18 hours in the capital for the DNCC and DSCC elections. However, motorbikes and vehicles with EC’s stickers, vehicles on emergency services, including ambulance, fire service and postal department, will be out of the purview of the ban.
Deployment of BGB, judicial and executive magistrates
The EC will also deploy the BGB and judicial and executive magistrates in election areas for the security of voters and polling centres, and prevent infringement of the electoral code of conduct. Executive and judicial magistrates will take legal measures, including jail or fine, or both, if anybody violates the code of conduct.
DNCC returning officer Abul Kashem told the media that the BGB would be deployed from Thursday morning. “The BGB personnel will be on duty since 9am. Along with them, executive and judicial magistrates will be there as part of the election preparations. There will be one executive magistrate in each ward and one judicial magistrate in two wards,” he said.
“Campaigning will end Thursday midnight. If any candidate continues to take part in any sort of campaign, a judicial magistrate can hold a summary trial for infringement of the law,” he added.
Awami League campaign
Awami League (AL) candidates, especially the mayoral hopefuls, were busy campaigning yesterday (Wednesday). A clash took place between activists of rival groups of the AL in the presence of DNCC mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam. The incident took place at Shaheed Dr Fazle Rabbi Park of Gulshan-1 around 12:15pm. Supporters of Jahidur Rahman Dulal, a rebel AL candidate for the councillor post of ward-20, arrived at the spot chanting slogans. Md Nasir, incumbent councillor and AL nominee for the post, and his supporters were already present there along with Atiqul who obstructed Dulal.
Supporters of the two candidates were locked in a scuffle. They threw chairs at their rivals. Some were severely beaten up by their stick-wielding rivals. Atiqul’s supporters formed a human shield to rescue him from the chaos that ultimately ruined the rally.
Later, Atiqul termed the clash as an “untoward incident”, saying it happened due to a “misunderstanding”. Atiqul said he hoped such incidents would not recur. He also said senior leaders of the party have been informed about the incident. During campaigning, Atiqul said: “I was the mayor for nine months. By applying that experience, we will build a healthy, vibrant, modern Dhaka. We will work against drugs. By voting for the “boat” symbol, you can help build a beautiful Dhaka.”
On the other hand, the AL’s mayoral candidate for the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, yesterday announced a 30-year master plan and five-point plan in his election manifesto. After announcing the election manifesto at the Awami League’s central office in the capital, Taposh visited the Press Club to hold a views-exchange meeting with the journalists.
BNP campaign
BNP’s mayoral candidates for Dhaka North and South city corporation elections Tabith Awal and Engr Ishraque Hossain urged voters to go to the polling centres without any fear and vote for them. While carrying out electioneering at ward-18 in Nadda, Tabith said they are getting massive response from the city dwellers and feel that it will be a victory for the BNP.
“We are making all preparations to win the mayoral elections. We will go to the polling centres. Our candidates and polling agents will also go to the polling centres,” he added. The BNP candidate called upon the EC to ensure a congenial atmosphere for the election.
The EC knows what it is to hold free and fair elections. Thus, it is the commission’s responsibility to ensure that people can vote in any situation, he noted. He also urged voters to be prepared for any situation and cast their votes without any fear. Local councillor candidate, Sharifuddin Jewel, among others, was present on the occasion.
The BNP’s mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation, Isharaque Hossain, also urged voters to go to polling centres on February 1 without any fear. Speaking at a brief rally at the Jubo Dal office at Bongshal, Ishraque said a mass upsurge has been created in favour of the “sheaf of paddy” symbol and in favour of democracy.
He said the country has been turned into a prison and people want to get rid of it. “You (voters) will go to the polling centres with courage, and we will do whatever is needed on behalf of our party,” he said. Ishraque also campaigned at Sutrapur, Wari, Kotwali, Tantibazar, Royshaheb Bazar, Dholaikhal, Khoka Math, Katherpoll, Loharpoll Luxmibazar and Jonson Road.