CEC signals end to army deployment
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Chief Election Commiss-ioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda has made it clear the Election Commission (EC) was not planning to deploy the army in the next general elections even, let alone the upcoming Bhola by-election, reports UNB.
"Army will not be deployed in the Bhola by-election, as ideally the EC plans to not deploy the army in the next parliamentary elections," said ATM Shamsul Huda at a press briefing at the EC secretariat before a visit to Bhola- 3 constituency Monday afternoon.
He also pointed out that the EC was planning to reduce campaign time for the by-election in order to avoid violence.
Replying to a question, he said that there was no precedent for the deployment of the army in past by-elections.
On the recent allegations of EC bias towards the government by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the veteran civil servant said: "We have nothing to say. She (Khaleda) is a big leader, but why has she made such comments? We are bipartisan and we are working for the people to exercise their franchise fairly and properly."
Dr Huda deplored the existing practice of allegation and counter-allegation among the political parties.
"Army will not be deployed in the Bhola by-election, as ideally the EC plans to not deploy the army in the next parliamentary elections," said ATM Shamsul Huda at a press briefing at the EC secretariat before a visit to Bhola- 3 constituency Monday afternoon.
He also pointed out that the EC was planning to reduce campaign time for the by-election in order to avoid violence.
Replying to a question, he said that there was no precedent for the deployment of the army in past by-elections.
On the recent allegations of EC bias towards the government by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the veteran civil servant said: "We have nothing to say. She (Khaleda) is a big leader, but why has she made such comments? We are bipartisan and we are working for the people to exercise their franchise fairly and properly."
Dr Huda deplored the existing practice of allegation and counter-allegation among the political parties.