Tight security for JS polls

The army started fanning out to different destinations across the country yesterday for deployment from tomorrow while the law enforcement agencies assured the Election Commission (EC) of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for holding a free and fair national election.
High officials of law enforcement agencies at a meeting with the EC yesterday morning said law and order is now under control and they have initiated adequate measures to see the present peaceful situation continue, meeting sources said.
"Rab and police officials told us at the meeting that the whole situation is under control," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said later apparently to dispel fears fuelled by security alert from the agencies concerned against any sabotage.
"The state of emergency has been lifted. All need to remain alert so that miscreants cannot come out to disturb the polls," the CEC told reporters.
None of the officials who spoke at the meeting apprehended any sabotage centring the December 29 parliamentary polls while the home secretary said the ministry directed law enforcement agencies to take special security measures in the wake of withdrawal of the state of emergency, sources attending the meeting said.
High officials of police, Rab, Ansar-VDP, BDR and Armed Forces Division, representatives from various intelligence agencies, all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) attended the meeting held at National Economic Council auditorium.
Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad and Director General of Rab Hasan Mahmud Khandaker later dismissed fears of sabotage over the December 29 parliament elections, but mentioned special precautionary measures, UNB reports.
The two top bosses of the police and the elite security personnel made the remarks to reporters separately when their attention was drawn to some perceived public apprehensions about any such act to foil the elections.
The EC during the meeting directed the authorities to remain vigilant and keep complete control over the pre-election, polling-day and post- election situation across the country.
Replying to a reporter's question about possible militant activities ahead of the election, CEC Huda said people should not get worried as the situation is under control.
The armed forces--army, navy and air force-- will be deployed tomorrow and remain so till December 31 in aid of the civil administration to ensure security for holding the national polls in a healthy atmosphere.
One battalion of armed forces personnel would be deployed at each district headquarters as strike force. And they would patrol the entire district ahead of and for two days after the polls, says a circular issued by the home ministry.
“The armed forces will assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order if returning officers seek their assistance," says the circular on the planned security before, during and after the election.
The Representation of People Order (RPO) empowered the armed forces in 2001 to arrest anyone on the polling day without any warrant and to act against any activity that goes against the electoral code of conduct.
Shamsul Huda said the EC had earlier decided that the army would be deployed from December 24.
“We have changed our previous decision and decided for army deployment from December 20 in the wake of withdrawal of the state of emergency,” he said.
A senior official of the home ministry, which drew up the security plan, said over 50,000 army personnel were deployed to maintain law and order before and after the 2001 election. This time the number might be higher.
As per the home ministry circular, police will maintain law and order inside polling stations and ensure security of election officials and transportation of polls materials. Ansar and VDP members will work as per police directives.
Buoyed by the security measures, the CEC hoped a congenial atmosphere would be maintained on the polling day to ensure exercise of franchise by all voters, especially women and minorities.
Huda said polling centres have been divided into two categories--general and 'important'. Polling stations considered 'vulnerable' in the previous polls as regards security are now being considered 'important'.
“A total of 18 law enforcers will be deployed at each important polling centre and 14 at each general centre,” he said.
The CEC said the commission also directed the law enforcement agencies to ensure security of people who become vulnerable after polls. “We have identified some areas and ordered for special security measures for people of those areas.”
Home Secretary Adbul Karim said at the meeting BDR, customs and immigration have been alerted against any 'infiltration' into the country.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The CEC expressed frustration at inaction over violation of electoral code of conduct in some areas in the country, meeting sources said.
Some of the SPs present at the meeting said they were still in the dark about their authority to take instant action against those who violate of the code of conduct.
At this, Huda noted that the electoral laws have given police adequate authority to take action against such violators.
He told reporters that the EC asked the returning officers and police officials to immediately take stern action against these persons.