Local body polls amid Covid fears

The elections to 204 union parishads and two municipalities and by-polls to the Laxmipur-2 constituency are going to be held today amid coronavirus fears.

The election will be held strictly following the health directives to prevent the spread of coronavirus, said the Election Commission officials.

EC Joint Secretary Asaduzzaman Arzu said that they have completed all preparations and believe that voting will be held peacefully.

"We have taken measures to prevent any kind of violence during and after the elections", he added.

Asked about the risks of holding polls during the Covid-19 pandemic, he said health measures would be strictly followed.

Hand washing and sanitising facilities will be available at the poll centres, he added.

The official said polling personnel must wear gloves and masks while issuing ballot papers, hand sanitizer for voters before entering the polling booths must be ensured, and physical distancing will be maintained.

The voting will begin at 8:00am and continued till 4:00pm without any break.

According to the EC, the election of 204 union parishads of 13 districts will be held today. The districts are Barishal, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rangpur, Bagura, Narsigndi, Gazipur, Madaripur, Sunamganj and Laxmipur.

Election to 20 UPs will be held using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the rest 184 using traditional ballot papers.

A total of 859 candidates are vying for UP chairman posts and 6960 for member positions and 2154 for women's reserve seats, said EC.

One hundred and seventy-three UPs out of the 204 UP that are going to the polls today are from Barishal Division.

Our Correspondent, Barishal reported that EC officials said that half of the voting centres of the division are "risky".

Regional Election Officer of the Barisal Division Md Alauddin said that there is some "important" voting centre. "We have talked with the law enforcement agencies, they are all committed to holding a free and fair election," he said.

Barisal Range DIG SM Akhtaruzzaman said BGB would remain a striking force in addition to more than 10,000 police and 750 RAB members for holding the elections in division smoothly.

Voters from different UPs have expressed concerns about holding the election amid Covid 19 situation. Patuakhali district's Muradia UP voter Abdus Sattar Hawlader said that it will be a challenge for EC to maintain health guideline at polling centres as such a place remain overcrowded with voters as well as enthusiastic people.

Barishal Division regional election officials said they asked to ensure social distance and providing sanitizer every election center. " No voter will be allowed enter voting centre without wearing any musk" he added.

LAXMIPUR-2 BY ELECTION

By-elections to the Laxmipur-2 constituency and election to the Jhalakathi municipalities and Setabganj municipalities of Dinajpur, will be held using EVM, said EC officials.

The by-election to the Laxmipur-2 constituency is taking place as the seat fell vacant after Mohammad Shahid Islam, also known as Kazi Papul's moral turpitude. It fell vacant since January 28 when Papul was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment by a Kuwait court.

A correspondent in Laxmipur reported that there was a lack of festivities in the JS seat that covers area of Raipur and part of Laxmipur Sadar area as candidates from two parties -- Awami League and Jaitya Party—are taking part in it.

Moreover, JP candidate Sheikh Mohammad Faiyaz Ullah Shipon did not held that much electioneering, said locals. AL candidate Nuruddin Chowdhury, however, held massive electioneering.

Returning officer Dulal Talukdar said that they have taken all-out preparation for holding a free and fair election and measures to stop possible violence.

He said that they held mock voting and massive campaigns at the municipalities to make voters aware of using EVM machines.