BNP seeks army deployment in Gazipur, Khulna city polls

BNP on Tuesday demanded deployment of army seven days before the elections to Khulna and Gazipur city corporations billed for May 15, report agencies.
The party also sought immediate withdrawal of Superintendent of Police (SP) Harun-ur-Rashid of Gazipur and other partisan officials in the police and civil administrations for the sake of a credible balloting.
A six-member BNP delegation placed the demands at a meeting with Election Commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
The BNP team also opposed use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the two city polls.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and other Election Commissioners were present at the meeting.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain led the BNP team.
The other members of the delegation were party stranding committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and vice-chairman Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has turned down BNP's demand for army deployment in elections to the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) and Khulna City Corporation (KCC).
The BNP also urged the commission to stop using electronic voting machines in the polls, but the demand seems to have fallen flat.
EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said the Commission will decide on the BNP's demand for withdrawing Superintendent of Police (SP) Harunur Rashid from Gazipur after discussing it further at an internal meeting.
"The commission will meet some of their demands in line with the law, especially their proposals on security in polling centres, creating a level-playing field, appointing neutral polling officers and protection of election observers," Ahmed said.
However, the Commission told BNP that EVM, army deployment and withdrawal of controversial officers will be decided after discussion.