We’re embarrassed

The Election Commission (EC) is embarrassed about the violence that took place during the Union Parishad elections, said Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday.

He said the EC will provide directions to field-level workers, after consultation with election commissioners to prevent further violence.

"We are embarrassed that many [violent] incidents took place. We are also concerned," said Nurul Huda at his office in the capital's Agargaon, while responding to a reporter's query.

He, however, said that they have control over the situation on the ground.

"Whenever we get complaints, we take action. Even then, criminal activities occur. These events are not premeditated; they happen suddenly," he added.

Regarding the allegation that candidature of several people were accepted in Shariatpur, even though signatures were forged, Nurul Huda said an inquiry committee, headed by a joint secretary of the commission, has been constituted. Once the committee submits its report, action will be taken.

He made the comments, after over a dozen people were killed across the country centring UP elections.

In the second phase of elections, 846 UPs will go to the polls on November 11. Elections to 1,007 UPs will be held on November 28, in the third phase.

In the first phase, elections were held in 204 UPs on June 21 and 160 UPs on September 20.