EC warns against influencing upazila polls

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain yesterday said some quarters are trying to influence the upazila parishad elections but warned that the commission would not tolerate it anyway.
“Many are trying to influence the polls. We remain alert about it,” he told reporters at his office in the EC Secretariat.
He said they have asked the ministry concerned so that an atmosphere like the last national polls prevails during the upazila election and no one tries to influence the elections. "Even then, some local lawmakers are trying to influence the polls. They must have to refrain from doing such activities," he added.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction over the law and order situation ahead of the January 22 upazila parishad elections as post-polls violence still continues in the country.
Sakhawat also said they will not tolerate if anyone tries to prevent voters from going to the polling station.
The Election Commissioner also urged all, including the members of law enforcement agencies, to remain alert to avert any untoward incident.
He said the returning officer concerned would be directed to investigate the allegation of participation of Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Khairuzzaman Liton in election campaign. If the allegation against him is proved, then he will be alerted as he holds the status of a state minister.
About the commission's preparation for holding election to 481 upazila parishads, Sakhawat said the EC started sending the election materials across the country from yesterday.
Talking about the electoral code of conduct, he called upon the people concerned to abide by the rules during the election campaigns. “Otherwise,” he said, “Law enforcement agencies, including police, have been asked to take stern action against the violators of the electoral code of conduct.”
“The judicial magistrates will start their work from January 16 in the field levels to monitor the situation,” he said.