The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission will take legal action against anyone who would violate the election code of conduct in quick follow-up to repots from judicial magistrates fielded for tomorrow's polls.

"If anyone, including candidates, violates the code of conduct, the judicial magistrate concerned will give report to the commission to investigate the matter. On the basis of the report, we'll take legal action," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain told newsmen at his office on Sunday noon.

He said if chaos is created at any polling centre, the magistrate would take immediate measures.

Mentioning the measures taken by the EC to ensure security of the voters during the crucial national elections, he said, "We took all possible measurers so that voters' security isn't hampered before, during and after voting."

He hoped that candidates also would not do anything that creates problem for voters in casting their vote.

Responding to a question about mobile-phone use during the election tomorrow, he said use of mobile phones inside the polling centers is completely prohibited.

Requesting newsmen to wait until 8am tomorrow to have the final decision of the EC whether the mobile-phone network will be in operation or not, he said, "None else but approved persons will be allowed to use mobile phones within the polling centre."

Sakhawat hoped that the Monday's election would be held in a free and fair manner as the commission put in hard labor to make it happen. "All of together have worked hard for holding a beautiful election," he said.

When his attention was drawn to some recent political campaigns by some NGOs, he said the commission observed the reports and asked the returning officers concerned to take measures.

About the election observers, he said the observer' organizations would be blacklisted if they are found and proved to be partisan or working for any political party.

The Election Commissioner asked the government officials who would remain out of election duties not to communicate with the district administration at this moment to avoid their influence over the election.

The government officials, except those who are involve in election duties, should not visit their respective election areas and not contact with the Superintendents of Police and returning officers, he said.

He, however, said the government officials could go to their respective areas if they want to cast their votes.

Sakhawat said adequate security measures have been taken to protect the voters against any coercion or intimidation.

He informed that election officials from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries are coming to Bangladesh for the first time to observe the ninth parliamentary election.

About the televised address of the two leaders of the Awami League and BNP, the Election Commissioner said: "Optimism has been created in our mind listening to their and we hope the today's elections will be free and fair."