EC withdraws SP, 2 Gazipur OCs, want AL workers restrained

The Election Commission, in the interest of impartial and fair Union Parishad polls, has asked Awami League leaders and activists ‘not to cross limits’, reports agencies.
The response came after the ruling party delivered to the EC office Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s message asking to prevent the polls from falling prey to ‘indiscipline, faults and irregularities’ on Thursday.Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz told reporters, “We spoke to a representative team of the Awami League.
“The party chief and prime minister have reassured us that they want fair polls.
“She instructed us to hold an impartial election. We welcome her remarks,” he said.
“We also asked the party activists not to cross the limits and not to get involved in violent activities,” he added.
The ruling party was asked to take measures against its activists who commit violence.
The Awami League representatives led by party Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad and handed over Hasina’s message.
After the meeting, Hanif told reporters, “The Prime Minister has strictly said that she does not want to see any faults or indiscipline in the polls.
“I have delivered her instructions to the EC.”
The party also asked the EC to take legal steps against anyone involved in any indiscipline.
“We will also instruct the grassroots party activists (to stay cautious),” he said.
At least 35 deaths and many more casualties were reported at the Union Parishad polls as a result of clashes and violence after the election schedule was published on Feb 11.
The commission has faced stern criticism from many levels regarding these casualties.
CEC Ahmad, at his meeting with top officials of security agencies, asked the law enforcers to take ‘more effective measures’.
The first and second phase of voting ended on Mar 22, and 31. The next voting is scheduled on Apr 23.
Hanif accused the BNP of attempting to create a chaotic situation as the party ‘failed to provide party candidates’ at the polls.
He said, “The BNP has participated in this poll as part of its conspiracy. It has plans to create a chaotic situation.
“We have advised the EC to stay cautious regarding this.”
He also said that the AL would cooperate if the EC took any ‘legal steps’ to prevent anomalies in the polls.