Polls in Ctg-8, Dhaka City: No scope to reconsider EVM: CEC in port city
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda yesterday said there is no scope left to reconsider whether the polls of two city corporations in Dhaka and by-polls of Chattogram-8 constituency would be held through electronic voting machines (EVM), as the Election Commission has already decided to hold those polls through EVM.
“We got very good results in all the polls held through EVM earlier,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a views-exchange meeting with election officials of by-polls to Chattogram-8, held at the conference room of Chattogram Election Office.
“So we expect that the polls would be fair,” the CEC said.
Replying to a question, the CEC said decision to set the time for holding Chattogram City Corporation polls has not been taken yet. “I think, March can be a suitable month for holding the polls. But it is not final. I cannot make this decision by myself. I will have to discuss with other election commissioners.”
Regarding the meeting with election officials, he said focus of the meeting was mainly on two issues, the first of which was how to stop Rohingyas’ registration in the voter list.
“They [Rohingya people] are becoming voters somehow.
Cases have been filed against some officials in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar in this connection. Most of them are not our permanent staffers. They were recruited through outsourcing. No allegation has been found against any of our officers,” said the CEC.
“Investigation has been going on and cases have also been filed against those who were allegedly found involved [with these illegal activities],” he said.
“After investigation, punitive action will be taken against those who will be found involved in the illegal process of registering Rohingya in voter list.”
The CEC said investigators have found involvement of some public representatives in providing Rohingyas with birth certificates, used to get registration in voter list.
In reply to another question, the CEC said apart from Rohingyas, a Chinese citizen was registered in the voter list but the EC officials detected it.
Another issue of the meeting was how to hold by-polls of Chattogram-8 constituency successfully, he said, adding, “We wholeheartedly believe that the polls will be held successfully in a free and fair manner.”
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