The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) has undertaken necessary steps to hold the December 18 election in a completely free, fair and neutral manner with a view to making it credible.

The government, on request from the EC, has undertaken necessary measures to maintain law and order during the election, said a circular issued by the Cabinet Division yesterday.

It said officials and employees of all ministries and departments as well as government, semi- government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices and organizations and, in some cases, private offices and organizations would be appointed as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers to conduct the election activities properly.

Besides, a good number of teachers from government, and government assisted and private academic institutions could be given various duties during the election. Different educational institutions could be utilized as polling centers and their furniture could be used for polling purpose, the circular said.

Two Divisional Commissioners and 64 Deputy Commissioners have been appointed as returning officers. All officers at district, upazila and thana levels including all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have been appointed as assistant returning officers, it said.

“Cooperation of all officials is very much essential for holding the general election properly,” the circular said adding that all officials cooperated the EC by discharging their duties in the past.

The Cabinet Division yesterday issued a circular instructing all officials and employees engaged in conducting the elections to perform their tasks with honesty, sincerity and neutrality during the ninth parliamentary polls to be held on December 18.

The cabinet division also sought cooperation from all concerned for not to show any negligence to duty, an official handout said.