Barishal gears up for city polls
The Election Commission started installing CCTV cameras at each polling station and secret ballot booth in preparation for the upcoming Barishal City Corporation elections.
The city polls, featuring seven mayoral candidates, 118 general councillor candidates, and 42 reserved councillor candidates, are scheduled for June 12.
Md Shaheen Sharif, convener of the Camera Installation Committee and the Nesharabad upazila election officer, said a total of 1,146 cameras will be installed at 126 polling stations. He further said the installation process will end by Saturday.
According to Sharif, there will be 894 secret booths for voting. Each secret booth will have one camera installed, and the entrance of each centre will have two cameras.
A trial run is planned for Sunday.
SECURITY TIGHTENED
While visiting various locations within the city, it was found that police check-posts had been set up, and law enforcement agencies were diligently examining vehicle licences to prevent any potential disturbances that may arise.
In response to inquiries regarding this matter, Saiful Islam, chief of Barishal Metropolitan Police, affirmed their heightened state of vigilance.
He said, "We are currently maintaining a high level of alertness, with more than 2,300 police personnel deployed."
He further said 4,400 law enforcement members, including Armed Police Battalion, Ansar, and Border Guard Bangladesh, will be actively present in the field.
MAGISTRATES
Meanwhile, the Barishal district administration is responsible for performing magisterial duties to prevent crime and control law and order in the city on election day.
Confirming the matter, Md Moniruzzaman, assistant returning officer of Barishal city polls and the media coordinator, said an executive magistrate has been assigned to each ward for overseeing the code of conduct.
Additionally, there will be ten judicial magistrates who will be responsible for imposing penalties in case any violations occur. Judicial magistrates will be assigned to three wards.
SADIQ-BACKED CANDIDATE'S CANDIDATURE REJECTED
In other news, the candidacy of Raiz Ahmed alias Manna, a follower of BCC incumbent mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah and former city unit Chhatra League convener, as well as a councillor candidate for ward 2, has been rejected following an order from the Supreme Court. According to relevant documents, there was an arms case and an allegation of forging signatures against him.
This information was confirmed by Returning Officer Md Humayun Kabir to The Daily Star.
'EC NOT COOPERATING WITH JOURNALISTS'
When these correspondents requested to see the list of presiding officers in the Election Commission, RO Kabir refused to cooperate.
Additionally, journalists have alleged that unnecessary strictness is being maintained while issuing cards and motorcycles and private cars are being used on the day of the election.
A Dhaka-based online journalist claimed that the returning officer is withholding election-related information.
It is mentionable that the Barishal polls will involve a total of 276,298 voters, with 137,489 males and 138,809 females. This will be the first-time electronic voting machines will be used for the city's 30 wards.
On May 29, 1,500 EVMs were delivered to Barishal in preparation for the elections.
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