The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Sylhet

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday urged the field-level government officials to make arrangements so that people could cast their votes in a festive mood without any fear.

"Any kind of laxity or negligence in election activities and discharging responsibilities won't be tolerated," he told an opinion-exchange meeting with government officials of Sylhet division at the Circuit House here this afternoon ahead of the December 29 national election.

Dr Fakhruddin also asked them to extend cooperation and take necessary steps so that election observers from home and abroad could properly and fairly monitor the polls.

It was the third meeting with government officials after the first one held in Khulna city on December 1 and the second one in Rangpur district headquarters on December 6. DCs, SPs UNOs, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the DIG police of Sylhet Range, senior officials of RAB, BDR and Ansar and various intelligence agencies were, among others, present at the meeting.

Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz, Home Secretary Abdul Karim and eight officials, including DCs, SPs, UNOs and representatives of BDR and Ansar, also spoke on the occasion. Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury was on the dais.

Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Zafar Ahmed Khan gave welcome address and conducted the meeting.

The Chief Adviser said the journey that started with the assuming of office by the government with a key objective to hold a free, fair and acceptable election to transfer power to an elected government has reached closed to its target.

Fakruddin urged the government officials to take a vow to hold the election in a fair, neutral and peaceful manner, and hoped that the transition of a democratic system and foundation of good governance would get a firm footing through the upcoming elections. "The government will succeed in this tough test of national life."

Referring to voters' views being reflected on the media, he said the voters want to elect competent candidates of their choice, but terrorists can again raise their heads and commit terrorist acts during the elections.

He asked the government officials to be more active to deter such occurrences.

Fakruddin told them to take all necessary legal measures to present the nation a transparent and peaceful election free from black money, terrorism and muscle power, asked them to carry out their duties without fear and greed rising above all kinds of influence.

He reminded them that there is no scope to be partisan or to bow down to any kind of influence or pressure.

The head of the care taker government gave a package of guidelines and decisions for the election dividing into three phases-before, during and after the election.

The CA asked the officials to carry out their drive nonstop so that terrorists, hardcore criminals, and listed miscreants cannot create chaos during electioneering by the election candidates. "A massive election campaign is already underway."

Mentioning that the four districts of Sylhet division as frontier ones, he asked them for intensifying vigilance by intelligence so that terrorists, absconding criminals outside the country cannot come back. "It's necessary to avoid possible pre- and post-election violence."

At the same time, he said, BDR and other law-enforcing agencies should remain always alert so that illegal arms and ammunition cannot enter the country.

He further asked the authorities and law-enforcing agencies concerned to remain active round the clock so that no banned outfits and other evil forces cannot make any ill attempts before the election.

"On the election day", he said, "Apart from deployed forces, mobile and striking forces would there at polling centers to ensure three tiers of security bulwarks."

The voting should go on its normal course, he said adding, "Apart from voting, it has to be ensured that the whole process of vote counting and publishing of vote results are done with hundred percent neutrality, transparency and credibility."

He also asked for taking necessary preparations in advance to prevent possible violence between the supporters of the winning and defeating candidates soon after the announcement of results.

Fakhruddin directed the officials to ensure vigilance regarding clash, damage of property, especially attack on female, minority and weak voters, and asked for taking strict measures as per records of previous such incidents.

The CA expressed his belief that government officials engaged in election duties would carry out their tasks sincerely and impartially.

The Chief Adviser returned to Dhaka from Sylhet in the afternoon.