Akram demands army deployment

NARAYANGANJ, Jun 22 (UNB): SM Akram, independent candidate in the Narayanganj-5 by-polls, demanded Sunday army deployment for holding the election in a free and fair manner.

"Without army, the election can't be fair and free. The election commission does not take any action against Salim Osman although he repeated violated the electoral code of conduct," he said while talking to reporters at the Central Kheyaghat in the city.

Akram also feared that illegal firearms might be used to influence the election.

He urged the government to conduct a drive for recovering illegal arms ahead of the election.

Adviser to Akram's Election Conducting Council and politburo member of Workers Party Shafiuddin Ahmed, its convener and general secretary of Narayanganj Nagarik Committee Abdur Rahman and joint convener and district unit Gano Forum President Delwar Hossain Chunnu, among others, were present on the occasion.

The by-election to Narayanganj-5 parliamentary constituency that fell vacant following the death of Jatiya Party MP Nasim Osman will be held on June 26.