Re-election in 5 upazilas today

Re-election to five upazilas among six where polls were postponed due to various reasons will be held today.
The five upazilas are Belkuchi (Sirajganj), Ramganj (Laxmipur), Barura (Comilla), Brahmanbaria Sadar and Dighinala (Khagrachhari).
The election to Ukhia upazila would be held later as the law and order situation is not conducive for holding the polls there just now, the Election Commission (EC) said.
The EC urged the country's distinguished personalities particularly the members of parliament (MPs) not to visit the upazilas concerned to keep the local elections free from any influence.
"It will be good for all if the distinguished people, especially the MPs, do not visit the election areas," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told reporters at the EC secretariat yesterday afternoon.
"We hope, they (MPs) will not create any embarrassing situation by visiting the (polling) areas," Sakhawat said.
The election commissioner said that they (EC) have taken all-out preparations to hold the upazila elections in a free and fair manner. "We hope the polls will be free and fair."
He said, "We don't want the repetition of the causes for which the January 22 (upazila) elections had to be postponed."
The judicial magistrates have already been appointed for the election areas and they were asked to carrying their duties in coordination with the district level officials, Sakhawat said.
Replying to a question, the election commissioner said the commission has decided to hold the election to Ukhia upazila later as the law and order situation is not conducive for holding the polls in this upazila.
The election, he said, was postponed in Ukhia as one candidate, who lost his candidature due to loan default, had hijacked the ballot boxes and beat some election officials.
"The court's clearance is required for holding the polls there," Sakhawat said, adding that the commission would decide to hold polls in Ukhia considering all things conducive for the elections.
Asked about the allegations and irregularities found in some 16 upazilas where the elections were held on January 22, he said the judicial investigations have been going on in those upazilas.
"The independent inquiry is being carried out there. If anyone tries to influence the investigations in any place, the elections would be cancelled and re-election would be held," he warned.
The election commissioner urged all people concerned to cooperate with the investigation teams to complete their inquiries in time as the commission had found that some quarters are creating impediments in some places.