CA asks officials to ensure fearless voting environment

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SYLHET, Dec 15 (UNB): Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Monday urged the field-level government officials to make arrangements so that people could cast their votes without any fear and problem.
"Any kind of laxity or negligence in carrying out election activities and discharging responsibilities won't be tolerated," he told an opinion-exchange meeting with government officials of Sylhet division at the Circuit House here this afternoon ahead of the December 29 national election.
Fakhruddin also asked them to extend cooperation and take necessary steps so that election observers from home and abroad could properly and fairly monitor the polls.
It was the third meeting with government officials after the first one held in Khulna city on December 1 and the second one in Rangpur district headquarters on December 6.
DCs, SPs UNOs, Metropolitan Police Commissioners, DIG, police of Sylhet Range, senior officials of RAB, BDR and Ansar and various intelligence agencies were, among others, present at the meeting.
Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, eight officials, including DCs, SPs, UNOs and representatives of BDR and Ansar, also spoke on the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Zafar Ahmed Khan conducted the meeting.
The CA said the journey that had started with the assuming of office by the government with a key objective to hold a free, fair and acceptable election to transfer power to an elected government was now close to its target.
Fakruddin urged the government officials to take a vow to hold the election in a fair, neutral and peaceful manner, and expressed the hope that the transition to a democratic system and foundation of good governance would get a firm footing through the upcoming elections. "The government will succeed in this tough test of national life."
Referring to voters' views being reflected on the media, he said the voters wanted to elect competent candidates of their choice, but terrorists could again raise their heads and commit terrorist acts during the elections.
He asked the government officials to be more active to deter such occurrences.
Fakruddin told them to take all necessary legal measures to present the nation a transparent and peaceful election free from black money, terrorism and muscle power, asked them to carry out their duties without fear and greed rising above all kinds of influence.
He reminded them that there was no scope to be partisan or to bow down to any kind of influence or pressure.
The head of the caretaker government gave a package of guidelines and decisions for the election dividing into three phases-before, during and after the election.
Fakhruddin directed the officials to ensure vigilance regarding clash, damage of property, especially attack on females, members of minority community and weak voters, and asked for taking strict measures as per records of previous such incidents.
The CA expressed his belief that government officials engaged in election duties would carry out their tasks sincerely and impartially.
The CA returned to Dhaka from Sylhet in the afternoon.
Another report adds: Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the extension and modernisation of Terminal Bhaban of Osmani International Airport here today (Monday).
The Chief Adviser unveiled the inaugural plaque of the Terminal Bhaban at about 11.00 am.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Home Affairs Adviser MA Matin, CA's Special Assistant for Civil Aviation Ministry Mahbub Jamil and Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Kamran were present at the function.
Later, the Chief Adviser offered Fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shahparan (R) at 11:30am and 12pm respectively.
He then went to the Circuit House to join an opinion exchange meeting with the government officials of Sylhet Division ahead of the upcoming general election slated for December 29.