No army deployment in upcoming JS by-polls, upazila re-polls: EC
Sunday, 8 March 2009
The Election Commission (EC) decided to hold parliamentary by-elections and re-election to some upazila parishads and in voting-stalled polling centres of eight upazilas without the assistance of army and paramilitary BDR troops, largely in view of the current situation stemming from the Pilkhana tragedy, reports UNB.
By-election to seven vacated parliamentary seats for Bogra-6 and 7, Rangpur-3 and 6, Kurigram-2, Kishoreganj-6 and Bagerhat-1 constituencies will be held on April 2 while voting in some polling centres in eight upazilas on March 16, according to the EC-declared schedules.
Re-elections for the six upazilas where polls were cancelled due to various reasons, including ballot stuffing, will be held on April 6. The upazilas are Dhiginala (Khagrachari), Ukhia (Cox's Bazar), Belkuchi (Sirajganj), Brahmanbaria Sadar, Ramganj (Laxmipur) and Barura (Comilla).
Re-polling in some centres of eight upazilas -- Chouhali, Gazaria, Nandail, Rupganj, Laxmipur Sadar, Swandip, Islampur and Faridganj -- is scheduled for March 16.
"We're going to hold the polls (by-elections and postponed upazila elections) depending on police and ansar-VDP (for security matter)," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters Saturday after a 3-hour meeting held at the NEC auditorium about law and order.
The CEC said army troops and the members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) would not be involved in the upcoming polls in view of the recent incidents and their aftermath. "Police and ansar-VDP will be deployed in the polling centres," he said.
Dr Huda said the armed police battalion and the elite-security force RAB would work as striking force in the election areas. They would start their operation five days ahead of the elections. "They'll remain in field up to one day after the elections."
Replying to a question he said 5-6 judicial magistrates have been employed in every election area.
Describing the EC's plans on maintaining the security with merely police and ansar as a sufficient measure, he said 14 security members would be deployed in ordinary polling centres while 21 in important or risky centres to ensure security. "It's enough to ensure security."
By-election to seven vacated parliamentary seats for Bogra-6 and 7, Rangpur-3 and 6, Kurigram-2, Kishoreganj-6 and Bagerhat-1 constituencies will be held on April 2 while voting in some polling centres in eight upazilas on March 16, according to the EC-declared schedules.
Re-elections for the six upazilas where polls were cancelled due to various reasons, including ballot stuffing, will be held on April 6. The upazilas are Dhiginala (Khagrachari), Ukhia (Cox's Bazar), Belkuchi (Sirajganj), Brahmanbaria Sadar, Ramganj (Laxmipur) and Barura (Comilla).
Re-polling in some centres of eight upazilas -- Chouhali, Gazaria, Nandail, Rupganj, Laxmipur Sadar, Swandip, Islampur and Faridganj -- is scheduled for March 16.
"We're going to hold the polls (by-elections and postponed upazila elections) depending on police and ansar-VDP (for security matter)," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters Saturday after a 3-hour meeting held at the NEC auditorium about law and order.
The CEC said army troops and the members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) would not be involved in the upcoming polls in view of the recent incidents and their aftermath. "Police and ansar-VDP will be deployed in the polling centres," he said.
Dr Huda said the armed police battalion and the elite-security force RAB would work as striking force in the election areas. They would start their operation five days ahead of the elections. "They'll remain in field up to one day after the elections."
Replying to a question he said 5-6 judicial magistrates have been employed in every election area.
Describing the EC's plans on maintaining the security with merely police and ansar as a sufficient measure, he said 14 security members would be deployed in ordinary polling centres while 21 in important or risky centres to ensure security. "It's enough to ensure security."