CEC pledges fair city polls

CHITTAGONG, Apr 11: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Raquib Uddin Ahmed pledged on Saturday to conduct free and fair city polls.

"We will extend our allout cooperation so that the voters can cast their votes for candidates of their choice," he said.

"Any attempt to snatch ballot boxes during the election in Dhaka north, Dhaka south and Chittagong City Corporation will be handled with an iron hand," he warned.

He was addressing as chief guest an opinion exchange meeting with the mayoral and ward-councillor candidates at the port city's Hall 24 Convention Centre near the MA Aziz Stadium. Returning Officer for Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) poll Md Abdul Baten called the meeting.

However, any decision on army deployment during voting is unlikely to be taken before April 19.

Some of the candidates at the meeting sought to know from the CEC whether the army would be deployed ahead of the election scheduled for April 28.

The CEC said there was no such decision yet. "There will be a meeting with members of the law enforcement agencies on April 19 in Dhaka. The decision to deploy army or not will be taken in that meeting," he added.

He said the Election Commission (EC) would take all necessary steps to hold a free, fair and impartial election. None would be allowed to create any misunderstanding and nuisance during the election, he added.

Any attempt to use money to purchase votes would invite only tough action from the authorities, the CEC said as some candidates raised questions about it.

Election Commissioners Brig Gen (retd) Jabed Ali and Md Shahnewaj, Election Commission secretary Md Sirajul Islam, Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mandal, Deputy Commissioner Md Mesbah Uddin, returning officer of Chittagong Md Abdul Baten and the mayoral and councillor candidates were present on the occasion.

bdnews24.com adds: The Election Commission (EC) will soon take a decision on whether the army would be deployed during the upcoming city corporation elections.

Chief Election Commi-ssioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed informed the mayor and councillor candidates about the commission's position while exchanging views with them at Chittagong on Saturday.

"We'll have a meeting with law enforcing agencies on April 19. The matter would be decided after that."

The BNP wants deployment of army during April 28 city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong.

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