The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Removing public confusion over army's magistracy power during the next polls, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain yesterday said Bangladesh Army would work as striking force with law enforcing agencies who cannot deal with magistracy."The Commission can bestow the magistracy power upon anyone who remains out of the law enforcing agencies," he told reporters, replying to a question, at the Election Commission Secretariat.

Sakhawat said that magistracy means the "power of instant judgment," which the law enforcing agencies are not empowered to exercise.

He said army remained a part of all big elections in the past and performed as the striking force.

The Election Commissioner said as the elections to more than 300 upazilas would be held in October, it would not be possible to maintain the law and order merely with RAB, police and Ansars.

Asked whether army would be deployed during the upcoming upazila elections, he said: "If we deem it necessary after assessing the situation, army may be deployed during these elections."

He, however, said army would work under the command of the Election Commission and they would not guard the polling centers.

Asked about the voters' fear for army's presence during elections, Sakhawat said army always comes out at times of the country's need. They work during storm and flood and distribute the VGF cards among the people. "Political parties did not raise any objection (about army deployment) during their dialogues with the Commission."

Replying to a query, he said the Election Commission has already requested the government for changes in the administration within August. "If necessary, we'll again request the government."

On former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, he said the Commission requested the authorities concerned to inform her about the voter registration and she {Khaleda) might become voter after her consideration. "The process of becoming voter is a legal matter."

When his attention was drawn to some newspaper reports that upazila elections might be held on political lines, the Election Commissioner said the Local Government Ministry would deal with the issue.

"I think the political parties should not get involved with the upazila elections, as during dialogues with the Commission they said local government elections should be non-partisan," he said.