The Election Commission (EC) yesterday warned field-level officers, including law enforcers, against neglecting their duty in the upcoming union parishad polls on March 22. It threatened them with punitive action otherwise.
“We're closely monitoring the work of field-level officers. Action will be taken if anyone is found guilty of not discharging his or her duties in the upcoming UP polls,” election
commissioner Md Shah Nawaz told journalists at the EC Secretariat office in Dhaka.
Urging everyone to follow the electoral code, Shah Nawaz called upon the officers to show zero tolerance towards trouble-makers.
“We’ve directed the police to maintain law and order so that no one gets any special advantage. They will show zero-tolerance to irregularities. If the election is tarnished by the negligence of law enforcers, they won’t be spared,” he added. Regarding the poll preparation, Shah Nawaz said, “The first phase of UP polls will be held on March 22. The officers are ready to hold the election. However, we’re still getting some allegations of irregularities in some areas.”
“We can’t take action against wholesale allegations. The complaint has to be specific. We’re taking action against such specific irregularities,” he added.
Drawing attention to the political parties, the election commissioner said, “We hope the political parties will assist us in holding a peaceful election. But if anyone violates the electoral code of conduct, they won’t be spared because fair election is the right of the people. We won’t lag behind in taking necessary steps in this regard.”