Deploy army, install CC cameras

FE Report | Published: April 24, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), reiterated her calls to the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday for army deployment and installing close circuit (CC) cameras during the city corporation polls on April 28.
"EC is playing with the army. They said army will act as striking force. Now they are saying army-men will stay at cantonment. We urge EC to deploy army with magistracy power and install CC cameras at polling centres," she told the journalists after seeking votes from Dhaka University (DU) VC AAMS Arefin Siddique at his office on the campus.
Mrs Abbas handed over leaflets to the VC and sought votes for 'mug', her husband's election symbol. Later she met DU pro-VC Nasrin Ahmed and requested her to cast vote in favour of Mirza Abbas.
Former pro-VC of DU Dr AFM Yousuf Haider, former dean of arts faculty Dr Sadrul Amin and party leaders and activists were present with her.
"If EC wants to hold a free, fair and transparent election, it must arrange those (army deployment and CC camera installation)," said Afroza Abbas.
Regarding attacks on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia she said, "We are not afraid of such attacks. We must not and will not boycott the elections. I call upon people please do not believe that propaganda. We will not retreat now, but march forward. We are in a better and stronger position. I realised it after visiting the field level."
"We see the number of BNP leaders and activists is rather small, because they have to face cases. Under these circumstances mass people have taken to the streets, and they are with me," she mentioned.
Mrs Abbas also opined, "If the media can discharge their duties exactly and the law-enforcing agencies show impartial behaviour, there will be a silent revolution".
She then campaigned around Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Udayan School and some other educational institutions of the area. She then went to Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital area.
BNP-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal also said EC's decision on army deployment during the city corporation polls was not desirable.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com