Staggered polls start amid fear and fanfare
The Union Parishad (UP) polls begin today amid a mixed sense of fear and fanfare. The build-up to the polls was marked by a disagreement between the government and the Election Commission (EC) on army deployment for security.
Voting takes place from 8.00am to 4.00pm straight in 327 UPs on the first day of the two-month countrywide election running until March 16.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Union Parishad Polls 2003 (Jan 25-Mar 16)
| Total posts --- 54,964 | Total contenders --- 1,98,704 |
| Chairman --- 4,228 posts | 21,376 contenders |
| Member --- 38,052 posts | 1,39,909 contenders |
| Female member --- 12,684 posts | 39,419 contenders |
| Total voters | 6,15,15,806 |
| Polling stations | 39,372 |
| Ballot papers | 18,45,47,418 |
| Returning officers | 1,868 |
| Presiding officers | 39,372 |
| Astt. presiding officers | 1,55,749 |
| Polling officers | 3,11,498 |
| Polling agents | 1,98,704 |
| Voting hours | 8 am to 4 pm |
Voters will elect representatives on a five-year term. The previous UP polls were held in 1997.
The UP, the local body tier, is the custodian of rural development.
The EC has called upon all concerned to work towards making the polls peaceful.
Contrasting arguments surfaced on law and order. The atmosphere is congenial thanks to the army-led Operation Clean Heart, said government leaders.
By contrast, field-level officials of the government came up with an argument that criminals broke cover after pullout of the army.
A total of 1,98,704 contenders, who need not have set qualifications to run the race, have entered the fray for 54,964 posts.
Of them, 21,376 vie for 4,228 chairman posts, 1,39,909 for 38,052 general member posts and 39,419 candidates for 12,684 member posts reserved for women.
The EC has taken security measures with police, the paramilitary BDR and ansars for over 6.15 crore voters, as the government did not agree to deploy army.
Fifteen law enforcers, five of them with firearms, will stand guard at each polling station. The BDR will be deployed as striking force and mobile courts will deal with election-related offences on the spot.
The EC has banned motorised vehicles on the polling days and declared the voting day a public holiday in the area.
It has employed 1,868 returning officers, 39,372 presiding officers, 1,55,749 assistant presiding officers and 3,11,498 polling officers.
Besides, the EC has issued accreditation cards to over two lakh poll observers and as many polling agents.
Since his first statement at a law-and-order review meeting late last month, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Syed had sought army deployment and repeated his plea at least ten times, but to no avail.
The government is bound to comply with his decision as per constitutional provision, the CEC argued.
On the other hand, the government has questioned whether the CEC can decide on army deployment.
Apart from the EC, opposition political parties, election monitors, field-level election officials and non-governmental organisations demanded deployment of the army at different times.
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