The duration of the army deployment on poll duty will become clear
after Dec 13, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad has
hinted.
Dec 13 is the last date for the withdrawal of candidature.
He hoped the country’s political situation would improve soon and the
10th parliamentary polls would be held peacefully.
After a meeting with senior officials of the police and security
agencies on Thursday, the CEC said, the army would be called out in
‘due time’.
The meeting was held three days after the announcement of the poll schedule.
Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and army personnel are usually
deployed for five days including the day of polling, he said.
The CEC said there would be another meeting, this one with returning
officers and law enforcers.
The meeting would decide when, where and for how long the army would
be deployed, he said.
The CEC told reporters they had discussed the current situation and
the responsibilities of the security agencies under the present
circumstances.
The CEC sought their cooperation in maintaining a poll-friendly environment.
The security officials said they expected the law and order situation
to improve soon, the CEC said.
Election Commission officials said the CEC usually takes stock of the
situation with returning officers immediately after the withdrawal of
nomination papers.
According to the poll schedule announced by the CEC, Dec 5 is the
deadline for nomination withdrawal, while the election is slated for
Jan 5.
Dec 2 is the deadline for filing nominations with scrutiny being done
over Dec 5-6.
Kazi Rakib hopes the election would be held with all parties taking
part, although the ruling Awami League and Opposition are still at
loggerheads over the nature of the poll-time government.
“I am still hopeful of an understanding,” he said.
The CEC said he had directed the law enforcers to take steps to ensure
safety of the people and election offices across the country.
Election officials said the CEC would hold another meeting with
returning officers and law enforcers after the finalisation of
candidature.
After the meeting, the commission would send directives to the home ministry.
Following the ministry’s statement, the commission will deploy law
enforcers (police, BGB, ANsar, VDP, coastguard, RAB and the army) for
at least five days.
Earlier, executive and judiciary magistrates were also posted after
the launch of election campaign. The law enforces worked in tandem
with them.
The EC officials said the army was deployed for five to seven days
during elections in 2008, 2001 and 1996.
During the 1996 elections, the army was stationed for more than two
weeks.-bdnews24.com
