EC has no authority to deploy army during election: Quader

Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Sunday the Election Commission (EC) does not have any authority to call out army for election duty, reports BSS.

He said EC could request the government for troop deployment if the law enforcement agencies fail to maintain law and order during polls.

The AL leader made the comments while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the party's foreign relations sub-committee at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city

"The Constitution has specified the responsibilities of the government and the Election Commission," he said.

Quader, also minister for road transport and bridges, said the army will be under the Defence Ministry during polls time as well when the law enforcement agencies will be under the EC jurisdiction.

"If the law enforcers fail to maintain law and order during polls, the commission could request the government to deploy army," he added.

"If required, they can act as striking force. After assessing situation, the government will decide whether they (Army) will be given magistracy power or not," Quader said.

The minister said responsibilities of the government and the EC are stipulated in the Constitution. "We have no way to go beyond the constitution", he continued.

About the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is imprisoned in former Dhaka Central Jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, Quader said Begum Zia remains well as the physicians are doing what is necessary for her treatment.

AL presidium member Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Muhammad Faruq Khan, joint general secretary Dr Dipu Moni, international affairs secretary Dr. Shammi Ahmed, sub-committee members Niaz Morshed Elite and Praloy Samadder, among others, were present on the occasion with former ambassador Mohammad Jamir in the chair.