Cumilla city polls will be an example

There is no scope for using muscle power during voting if Electronic Voting Machines are used, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said yesterday.

He also said the commission wants the June 15 Cumilla City Corporation polls, the first under the new Election Commission, to be a model election.

He made the comments at a views-exchange meeting with mayor and ward councillor candidates at the Cumilla Shilpakala Auditorium.

At the programme, Habibul told Cumilla's deputy commissioner and superintendent of police that actions will be taken against them if the law and order is not maintained. On the other hand, he said, they would be praised if the election is successful.

To the candidates, Habibul said, "Trust us, we will set an example with the Cumilla city elections … The Commission will be strict in enforcing the code of conduct."

"Elections are not wars or conflicts, and there will be no space to use muscle power in the EVM system …  Besides, CCTVs will be installed in every booth.

"There will be no gangs wearing helmets during the election … Remember, voting is a citizen's responsibility and duty."

The CEC added that in case of difficulty in EVM use, election officials will be responsible to fix it.

He also said the EC can, in special cases, cancel the election and candidature of aspirants.

Meanwhile, local police and the administration will help the candidates in case of complaints, the CEC said.

At the meeting, independent candidate Mohammad Nizam Uddin said, "I became a candidate after leaving the party. I'm worried about the election atmosphere, and voters too are worried whether they will be able to rightfully cast their votes. We don't want a 'midnight polls' like in the last parliamentary election."

This led several ruling Awami League men to begin yelling at him.

Cumilla DC Kamrul Hasan and city Awami League Joint General Secretary Atiqullah Khokon later calmed the situation.