Ban on election rally, procession until Nov 27

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The government Tuesday prohibited election rallies or processions by political parties or candidates until November 27 as per the relaxed provision of section 3 (1) of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR), as there has been instances of electioneering regardless of the EPR restrictions, reports UNB.
A meeting of the Advisory Committee on Law and Order at the home ministry with Home Adviser MA Matin in the chair clarified the relaxed provision of the EPR for all concerned in view of the situation and issued some directives.
Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting that issued an order for depositing licensed small firearms ahead of the polls.
Home Secretary Abdul Karim told reporters after the meeting that the campaign for parliamentary and upazila elections would be allowed 21 days ahead of the polling-day, which means the electioneering will be allowed from November 27.
"It will be tantamount to violation of rules if any party or candidate carries out electioneering before that time," he added.
He observed that some political parties have already started the election campaign perceiving wrong interpretation of the section 3 (1) of the relaxed EPR.
Regarding agitation programmes announced by Jamaat-e-Islami and others, the home secretary said the law-enforcing agencies were asked to take "legal actions" against any such programme.
The meeting decided to take deposit of all licensed small arms (revolver, pistol) at the respective police stations from November 20 to December 3, 2008.
The home secretary said other licensed arms holders would be restricted from moving with their legal arms from December 4 to January 5, 2009. However, banks and financial institutions would be exempted from this order considering their security.
Mr Karim said the meeting decided not to issue any license for legal arms during the period in the run-up to the December elections. Magistrates would seal all firearm showcases and storages in the presence of the firearm dealers and traders.
Shooting clubs and rifle clubs would also stop the use of their firearms for this period and the presidents of these clubs would take the responsibility to ensure compliance with the embargo.
The meeting asked agencies concerned to intensify their vigilance along the border "so no terrorists could sneak into the country".
The agencies were asked to step up intelligence to arrest political or other categories of criminals.
Asked if there was any apprehension about deterioration of law-and-order situation ahead of the elections, IGP Nur Mohammad said he did not apprehend so, as "all steps are being taken to ensure normal situation on the eve of the elections".