'Stronghold' poll centres face dissolution
Friday, 26 September 2008
The Election Commission (EC) is readying over 40,000 polling centres countrywide, ahead of Jatiya Sangsad (JS) and Upazila polls in December, with some 4,000 'political stronghold' centres facing dissolution and replacement, say election officials, reports bdnews24.com.
Of the total number, an estimated 5,000 extra polling centres will be required for the UZ polls following the Dec 18 general election, election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain told the news agency Wednesday.
The EC is preparing for the JS and UZ elections in "full swing", he said.
"The polling centres earmarked for the JS polls will also be utilised during the Upazila polls."
On top of the 35,000 existing polling centres across the country, another 10 per cent may have to be added for the UZ polls to be held in two phases just days after the general election, Sakhawat said.
"Around 5,000 more centres will be rigged up," said the election commissioner.
Centres traditionally considered as 'strongholds' of individual contestants, or regarded to be a 'sure win' by a particular political party through illegal influence, are being identified, said election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hussain.
He said that such 'questionable' centres will be dissolved and replaced following EC probes substantiating any well-founded allegations.
Prior to the cancelled election of Jan 22, 2007, such questions were raised over the independence of at least 4,000 centres, an election official said.
Of the total number, an estimated 5,000 extra polling centres will be required for the UZ polls following the Dec 18 general election, election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain told the news agency Wednesday.
The EC is preparing for the JS and UZ elections in "full swing", he said.
"The polling centres earmarked for the JS polls will also be utilised during the Upazila polls."
On top of the 35,000 existing polling centres across the country, another 10 per cent may have to be added for the UZ polls to be held in two phases just days after the general election, Sakhawat said.
"Around 5,000 more centres will be rigged up," said the election commissioner.
Centres traditionally considered as 'strongholds' of individual contestants, or regarded to be a 'sure win' by a particular political party through illegal influence, are being identified, said election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hussain.
He said that such 'questionable' centres will be dissolved and replaced following EC probes substantiating any well-founded allegations.
Prior to the cancelled election of Jan 22, 2007, such questions were raised over the independence of at least 4,000 centres, an election official said.