BNP’s Oct 28 Rally: EC defers training of top admin, cops
The Election Commission has deferred its scheduled training for top field level administration and police officials due to BNP's grand rally on October 28.
The second round of residential training for divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, deputy inspectors general of police, superintendents of police and regional election officers was scheduled to be held on October 28 and 29.
The training will now be held on November 2 and 3, according to separate EC letters to the cabinet secretary and senior secretary of public security division of Ministry of Home Affairs.
BNP will hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 to press home its one-point demand -- resignation of the government and election under a non-party neutral administration.
The commission pushed back the training date upon request from the police and local administrators, as they will need to stay in their locality to "maintain the law-and-order situation".
The situation is tense as words on the streets are Awami League and law enforcement agencies will use all possible means to "drive out" BNP from the streets if the opposition party tries to stage any sit-ins or blockades after its scheduled rally.
According to ruling party leaders and police high-ups, they have devised plans to counter BNP, as they think the party might go for nonstop agitations, including cutting off Dhaka from the rest of the country, calling hartals or laying siege to key establishments, after the event.
A top EC official said the commission pushed back the training date upon request from the police and local administrators, as they will need to stay in their locality to "maintain the law-and-order situation".
Contacted, Electoral Training Institute director general SM Asaduzzman, however, said they deferred the training as the EC has a meeting with high-ups of the law enforcers on October 30.
"I don't know whether the rally of a political party was the reason for deferral of the training," he said.
EC letters show divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner, DIGs of Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet ranges were scheduled to take part in the training on the upcoming 12th national polls.
Besides, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Narsingdi were also in the participant list.
The EC on October 14 and 15 held the first round of training for top field level administration and police officials.
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