Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said the attack on Hindu community in Harkali Thakurpara village of Rangpur will not sway the upcoming Rangpur City Corporation election.

“All sorts of steps will be taken to hold a free, fair and acceptable election. There is nothing to worry about the atmosphere,” he told journalists after holding a meeting with law enforcers at the Election Commission office in Dhaka.

Huda assured that all the candidates will get equal opportunities and voters can cast their ballots without fear.

Asked about deployment of army during the polls, the CEC said the issue was not discussed at the meeting as none proposed for it.

Huda said more than 3,500 law enforcers including police, Rab, APBn and Ansar will be deployed in the district during the polls scheduled to be held on December 21.

On November 10, protesting a Facebook post, hundreds of zealots attacked Thakurpara village in Rangpur. They torched 11 Hindu houses, vandalised many others and looted valuables.

A man was killed and about 20 others were injured after police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to bring the situation under control.