The special security arrangement has been made as the Commission felt that only police escort would not be enough to carry the ballot papers for the January 5 elections amid the opposition’s agitation for scuppering the polls.
As 154 candidates have already won uncontested in the opposition-boycotted elections, polling will be held on January 5 in 146 constituencies in 59 districts.
In a letter the Election Commission on Thursday said ballot papers and RSM kits will be sent to returning officers and district election officers in 146 electoral areas on Friday.
All the returning officers have been asked to bring along with them adequate armed police escort to transport the election materials.
Considering the risk factors, the Election Commission has also written to the home ministry, IGP and director generals of BGB and RAB asking them to ensure security of the ballot papers while being transported in trucks.
According to the voters’ list, 91,965,977 voters were to take part in the voting in 300 seats, say officers at the Election Commission.
As balloting will not be held in 154 seats, a total of 43,686,041 ballot papers for as many voters have been printed and 1000 excess ballot papers have been printed for each constituency.
Returning officers and district election officers and others relevant officials will procure the seat-based ballot papers from BG Press, Government Printing Press and Security Printing Press.
Helicopters in remote areas
The commission told the home ministry on Thursday it needed ‘military helicopters and aircrafts’ to supply election materials and maintain law and order before and after polls in remote and inaccessible areas.
The home ministry will send a demand letter to the Armed Forces Division on the matter following the proposal of the law enforcing agencies.
Besides, the commission has already sent a letter to the armed forces requesting for a helicopter from Jan 1 to facilitate visits of chief election commissioner, election commissioners and other senior officials of the Commission or the Secretariat during emergency election duties.
The army has already been deployed on poll duty from Thursday. – Bdnews24.com
