Most candidates yet to submit list of polling agents to election office

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 24: Most election candidates have not yet submitted list of their nominated polling agents for the training programmes organised by the Election Commission in Chattogram.
The training programme for the polling agents of the candidates in the upcoming national parliamentary election was originally scheduled to start on December 25 but the programme will now be deferred by two or three days, election officials said.
The Election Commission officials said they asked all candidates verbally to submit the list of their five polling agents for each election centre under his/her constituency for the training on properly performing their duties. Chattogram District Shilpakala Academy in the city has been hired for providing the training.
There are 16 constituencies in Chattogram district and city and 24 parties are now participating in the election with 26 symbols including the independent candidates and the total number of candidates is 115.
The campaign has gained momentum with the deployment of members of the Armed Forces. Fifteen teams of the Bangladesh Army and one team of the Bangladesh Navy have been deployed in 16 constituencies and will work as striking force in and around the polling centres.
A senior Election Commission official in Chattogram said members of the Armed Forces started joining temporary camps from Sunday evening and the candidates are happy over their deployment. Their deployment will ensure a free and fare election in the country.
It is also a welcome move that candidates in Chattogram are doing their campaign programmes in a festive mood and very prone to abide by the code of conduct so far. They follow the guidelines and restrictions of the Election Commission, he said.

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