Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad thinks the Opposition-enforced nonstop blockade will not affect the Jan 5 parliamentary polls. After apprising the President of elections preparations, he told reporters on Thursday, “No vehicle, except the authorised ones, in any case is allowed to ply before the elections. “So there will be no problem in polls due to the blockade.”Election in 147 constituencies out of the total 300 will be held on Sunday. Candidates in 153 other parliamentary seats have been elected uncontested.
The BNP-led 18-Party alliance has enforced a nonstop blockade from Jan 1 to foil the polls. However, transports other than long-distance buses are operating as usual.
Coming out of the Bangabhaban, the CEC said they had made all preparations to conduct the polls as per the Constitution.
He said ‘peaceful and uninterrupted’ movement of the voters to and from the polling stations would be ensured.
“A peaceful environment will be ensured for the voters. We’ve taken all measures so that voters can exercise their franchise uninterruptedly.”
Referring to deployment of law enforcers from Dec 26 to Jan 9 for the elections, Ahmad said it would help improve the law and order.
To a question if army personnel would remain deployed after Jan 9, he said decisions on the matter would be taken later depending on situation.
Four other Election Commissioners and the Commission’s Secretary accompanied the CEC during the meeting with the President.-bdnews24.com
