'No army needed in Rangpur polls'

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said army deployment would not be necessary during the coming Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) polls.

Law enforcement agencies are capable of holding a free, fair and credible election, he said.

After a meeting with officials, entrusted with the task of holding the election on December 21, at divisional commissioner's office in Rangpur, the CEC told reporters that contestants attempting to buy voters with money would face tough actions.

Along with the Ansar men, there will be 23 armed members of BGB, Rab and police at each poling centre during the polls. The will hold the election peacefully, he said.

“The election will be free, fair and credible.”

The CEC also informed that 22 mobile-court teams were working in the RCC area to prevent any violation of electoral code of conduct. From today, a mobile court would be deployed at each of the 33 wards to monitor law and order situations.

“There is no necessity to deploy army.”

Any contestant credibly reported for using back money or muscle power would face prompt action.

He also promised that nobody would be spared if they violated the electoral code of conduct and deteriorated the law and order situation during the election.

Asked about allegations that law enforcers are harassing BNP leaders and activists, he said, “They are not harassing anybody.”

The Election Commission has ensured equal rights of all, he said.

Mayor candidates can setup six election camps in the RCC areas.

Besides, each mayor candidate can use 33 loud speakers in 33 wards.

The Election commission is also thinking about using EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) at a polling centre this year.

The CEC also held a meeting with the mayor candidates at the auditorium of Rangpur Zila School, where Kawsar Zaman Babla, the BNP-nominated candidate expressed his fear of vote rigging and urged the CEC to deploy army.

All the mayor and councillor candidates at the meeting demanded the CEC to finalise ballot counts at the polling centres. They also demanded suspension of mobile banking services to prevent black money flows.