EC assures candidates of fair polls

The Election Commission and administrative officials in Sylhet gave assurance of a “fair election” to the mayoral and councillor candidates of the upcoming Sylhet City Corporation election to be held on July 30.

They made the statement before the candidates at a discussion programme organised by the office of returning officer of Sylhet city polls 2018. The discussion was held at Mohammad Ali Gymnasium at Rikabibazar in the city yesterday morning.

At the discussion, mayoral candidates praised the present electoral environment in Sylhet city and demanded that the EC and administration maintain the environment till the election ends.

Chief guest Rafiqul Islam, an election commissioner, said the commission is working as a neutral agency.

He requested the candidates to file written complaint when needed, and assured that the EC will take prompt actions.

The election commissioner said that armed and unarmed Ansar members will be deployed during the election hours along with Rab, police and BGB members.

He also said police and administration will not harass anyone and actions will be taken if they do.

Nazmanara Khanum, divisional commissioner of Sylhet, said that the administration is not working in favour of anyone.

Presided over by Alimuzzaman, regional election officer in Sylhet and the returning officer of the city polls, the discussion was also attended by Numeri Zaman, deputy commissioner of Sylhet, and Golam Kibria, Sylhet Metropolitan Police commissioner.

EVM IN TWO CENTRES

Election Commission is ready to use electronic voting machine (EVM) at two centres of a single venue in Sylhet city polls.

The centres are at Amberkhana Girls School and College, Housing Estate area in ward 4, Proloy Kumar Saha, assistant returning officer of the election said.

At 14 polling booths of two centres in the venue, 2,556 female voters and 1,957 male ones will cast their votes.

30,686 NEW VOTERS

At this year's polls, there are 30,686 new voters. According to the EC, the total number of voters is 321,732. At the last Sylhet city polls in 2013, the number of total voters was 291,046.

EC is preparing 926 polling booths at 134 polling centres in the city.