3 by-polls still on for tomorrow
The Election Commission yesterday announced that by-polls in Dhaka-10, Bagerhat-4 and Gaibandha-3 constituencies would be held tomorrow, ruling out the public health concerns over coronavirus.
Md Alamgir, secretary to the Election Commission (EC), made the announcement after an emergency meeting at its Agargaon office in Dhaka.
The EC discussed both aspects of merits and demerits of holding and not holding the by-polls on the scheduled date and then came to the decision, he said, adding that electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used Dhaka-10 constituency.
Asked if the EC would take responsibility in case of further coronavirus outbreak for the by-polls, he said, "You [journalists] say that the voter turnout in the elections is low. What is the problem then?"
All the polling centres will have facilities to wash and sanitise hands for the voters as preventive measures. The EC will also hang banners inscribing dos and don'ts to avoid the virus contact, he said.
The EC made the announcement at a time when the country reported 17 coronavirus infection cases and one death and the government was desperately trying to prevent further virus spread by shutting down educational institutions and halting all political, cultural and religious gatherings.
Alamgir said the government had not announced the corona as pandemic and the voting date is only a day away. So, it was decided to go ahead with the by-polls.
He added that all the candidates have completed their campaigning, spent money, and none of them requested the EC for deferral of election. Rather, they want election on the scheduled date.
The EC would take decisions on two other by-polls -- Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 -- and the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) election, scheduled to be held on March 29, in the next meeting tomorrow, the EC secretary said.
He also informed that the services related to national identity card (NID) was suspended until March 31.
'SUSPEND CCC ELECTION, FIVE BY-POLLS'
The BNP yesterday demanded suspension of elections to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and by-polls to five parliamentary seats due to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.
At the same time, the party also demanded closing the courts for a temporary period.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demands at an emergency press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
"People are talking about halting the elections due to a fear of coronavirus outbreak. But the Election Commission today [yesterday] said the elections scheduled for March 21 will surely be held and it'll take decision about by-polls scheduled to be held on March 29 on March 19. We think it's a unilateral decision," he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the EC was showing inhuman attitude during this time of a disaster.
"We call upon the Election Commission to withdraw its decision and postpone all the elections and by-polls right now in the interest of people," he added.
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