The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamshul Huda said army would be deployed from January 20 for five days to maintain law and order situation during the upcoming upazila elections and also to curb post-poll violence.

He said the decision was taken at a meeting with field-level government and security officials to ensure that every body can cast their votes in a fearless environment.

In the meeting, Dr Huda directed the officials to put off voting if any poll centre's condition gets out of control. He also asked them to stay alert to prevent any move of vote rigging.

Elections to 481 upazila parishads are going to be held across the country after long 19 years. A total of 3,116 candidates are running for upazila chairmen in 481 upazilas. Some 2,879 are contesting for male vice-chairmen and 1,936 for female vice-chairmen fray.

CEC hoped turnout of voters would be more than 80 as witnessed in the December 29 general election.

"The Army will remain on duty from January 20 to January 24 to maintain law and order situation during the elections and thwart post-poll violence," CEC told journalists following the meeting.

The meeting at NEC auditorium was attended by deputy commissioners, also returning officers, chiefs of police, BDR, RAB, Ansar and representatives of the Armed Forces Division.

He directed the officials concerned to stop polling immediately in the event of law and order situation goes beyond control in any centre during the upazila elections.

"If we want to see a high voters' turnout in the upazilla elections, we need to make sure that they (voters) can cast their vote without facing any obstacle," Huda said.

He also informed that the EC yesterday started sending election materials to different upazillas.