Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today urged election officials and law enforcers to ensure polling agents' security and smooth access to voting centres during the March 29 Chattogram City Corporation election.

The CEC was addressing a views exchange meeting with election officials, executive magistrates and law enforcers entrusted with election duty, at Chattogram Circuit House.

The allegations of driving out polling agents from centres have become usual although those are found untrue during investigation, he said.

He urged all concerned to play role to hold a free, fair and peaceful election.

The CEC said there will be a three-day vacation just before the election day from March 26.

"Following the vacation, people may go outside the city. So we have decided to keep government offices open for half-day on the election day to increase voter turnout," said Nurul Huda.

"We will also allow vehicles on roads in a limited scale," he said.

Replying to reporters' query on coronavirus issue, the CEC said as the government is yet to declare emergency, there is no logic to postpone the polls.

Over electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the city polls, Nurul Huda said EVMs were used in two Dhaka city corporation elections and most of the voters expressed satisfaction over it.

Returning Officer Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Ilias Hossain and Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mahbubar Rahman were, among others, present at the meeting with Divisional Commissioner ABM Azad in the chair.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said BNP has failed to plunge the December 30 national election into controversy even after knocking at the doors of its foreign friends.

“They (BNP) wrote letters to different countries to make the election questionable but their motive has gone in vain,” Quader, also the minister for Road Transport and Bridges, told reporters after visiting construction site of the second Kanchpur Bridge on Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet highways in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon upazila.

BNP also completely failed to ensure momentum of their anti-government movement as people did not take to the streets by responding their call, the Awami League leader said.

Replying to a query about BNP’s decision to refrain from participating in the upcoming upazila elections, the minister said no political parity can sustain without taking part in election.

He said the heads of different countries including UK and Switzerland welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the formation of government under her leadership for the fourth time.

Claiming that people would not throng the streets responding to the BNP’s call, Quader said BNP is engaged in negative politics and thus it will lose its foreign friends as well as the trust of the countrymen.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday directed law enforcers to deal with the law and order situation with an iron fist in case there was any violence on the polling day today.

“If anyone tries to create any sort of disorder at the polling centres, law enforcers will bring the situation under control,” he said at a press conference at the capital's Nirbachan Bhaban.

“We will investigate and take action in case we find any negligence on part of the law enforcement agencies or their attitude remains indifferent while performing election duties,” he said.

A total of 6.08 lakh law enforcers, including police, Ansar and VDP personnel, have been deployed for polls duties.

The CEC also asked all election officials to work in a neutral manner so that the election did not become questionable. “Perform duties rising above your personal views and likings for parties. We don't want a questionable election.”

“You should bear in mind that a candidate may face harm because of your attitude towards him or her,” he said.

Huda then citied different media reports that said many polling agents of different political parties were being harassed. “Police should not harass any polling agents … polling agents should get all-out security during the election.”

He urged all polling agents not to leave the polling stations before the announcement of results from the voting centres. “If anyone asks you [polling agents] to leave the polling station, take help from executive magistrates and law enforcers.”

About the incidents of violence during electioneering, the EC chief said, “Those were unexpected … We urged all not to create any violence but it is unfortunate that there were some during campaigning.”

He said they had directed the authorities concerned to investigate those incidents.

According to media reports, motorcades and polls campaigns of at least 56 candidates, mostly of the BNP, came under attack; some 1,190 people were injured and over 800 BNP-Jamaat men arrested during electioneering between December 10 and 28 for the parliamentary polls.

The CEC urged all voters to cast their votes without any fear and influence. “Your vote is valuable, cast it without any fear and for candidates of your choice.”

He also urged all candidates and their supporters to abide by the electoral code of conduct while voting.

He added that today's election was a participatory one as candidates from all registered parties were taking part. “This election will be held amid festivities”.

The remarks came at a time when many are doubtful about casting their votes freely after electioneering was marred by violence.

Election commissioners Mahbub Talukdar, Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury were also present at the briefing where the CEC did not take any questions. 

WHAT ARE THE SECURITY MEASURES TAKEN SO FAR?

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) that would be used in the upcoming elections to Dhaka North and South city corporations are of high quality and would not make it possible to cast fake votes using those.

“Our EVMs are of high quality. No fake votes can be cast using those,” he said.

The CEC also warned that the commission will take strict measures if law enforcers are found not delivering their duty sincerely during the upcoming elections.

CEC KM Nurul Huda said this during a meeting with the chiefs of different law enforcement agencies at Nirbachan Bhaban this afternoon.

“We don’t want to have any complaints regarding any irregularities and negligence in duty by the law enforcement officials. In case of minor issues you would have to solve those through your respective authorities of Police and BGB. We won’t let anyone get away with negligence in their due roles during the upcoming elections,” CEC Nurul Huda said.

“We are sincere to hold a free, fair and credible election and we expect to have your full cooperation in the same way we had previously,” he said.

“Please solve any issue that emerges to make sure that the voters can cast their votes without fear,” KM Nurul Huda also said.

“We often receive complaints that polling agents are not present at the centres. Of course you won’t have to bring the agents from their homes, but please make sure that no candidate’s agents are driven away from the centres.”

Terming the attack on BNP nominated mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Tabith Awal to be an unexpected incident, the CEC said the commission has taken steps in this regard.

Three election commissioner, chiefs of the different law enforcement agencies, EC secretary, and officials of the concerned ministries were present at the meeting.

The elections to the Dhaka North and South city corporations are slated for February 1.