Election Commission (EC) and high law enforcement officials believe the situation is still stable in the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections. However, some wards have rebel candidates who might create violence on or before the polls, intelligence sources opined.
The EC held a meeting with top law enforcement officials on Wednesday (Jan. 22) in view of the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections. The meeting was held for three hours. The meeting discussed in detail the overall situation of the vote and how the law enforcing forcers will play its role during the vote.
Talking to the officials present at the meeting, it was reported that the officers of the law and intelligence agencies expressed satisfaction with the election environment. They said the election environment was calm and good without any mentionable incident. Police said that the outposts will be set up at every entrance of the city so that residents of the adjoining districts cannot enter the capital on the day of voting.
During this time, the Commission put forward several proposals, including the issue of how many law enforcement personnel would be deployed in the centers. According to the Commission's recommendation, it was decided to keep 16 members of the law and 18 members in important (risky) centers will be deployed.
At the meeting, law enforcement and intelligence officials said there were between 15 and 20 cases against 53 councilor candidates in two cities. They are also a threat to a fair election. They proposed amending the law so that the accused in the murder and drug cases cannot not participate in the elections. At the same time, the Election Commissioner said when asked for the direction of the Commission, there are warrants against many. It has to follow. Another Election Commissioner said there is nothing to say outside the law. However, when the candidates are arrested, the EC comes under criticism. Even if you have a warrant before the vote, try not to arrest. We are to adjust a lot of things, try to adjust this matter as well. Arrest them after election.
The meeting was also directed to keep an eye on the candidates' agents in the elections so that they are not expelled from the center.
Law enforcement also expressed concern that efforts could be made to create a violent environment by spreading rumors through social media, including Facebook. In response, the Commission said cyber security intelligence would have to work to stop the rumors. Social media has to be monitored.
However, almost all of the Commission's proposals agreed, but senior officials of the law and order disagreed. Voters located in different places are suggested to use private cars to go to their respective areas to vote. Objecting to this, the police said that if a privateer was allowed to run on the day of voting, a large number of cars would be taken to the streets and traffic control would have to be done to control them. And if the private car is allowed to run on the day of the vote, it will hamper the commission's approved car. Later, the commission decided to cancel the use of private carriers.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, was attended by three Commissioners, senior secretary of EC, senior secretary of Public Safety department, Inspector general of police(I), DGs of BGB, RAB, Ansar and VDP, director general of DGFI and NSI. The Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Dhaka Range, the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka and the Superintendent of Police of Dhaka were present.
Earlier in the meeting, CEC KM Nurul Huda said, "I do not want to see any irregularities and negligence." Failure of any kind will not be tolerated. If the complaint is brought to us, action will be taken against all who will be involved in the irregularities. They will be not spared for any failure. One should not let the agent out of the center and there should be no obstruction in the way of coming. If any complaint is received, you must take action.
EC Senior Secretary Md. Alamgir told reporters that the intelligence reports said that only18 centers are at risk. Moreover, they do not have such reports. At the same time, they do not have reports of such things happening in the future. They are always alert; they will take action if there is a problem. There will be 40,000 members of the law enforcers in the voting field.
After the meeting, the Police Chief Dr. Jabed Patwari said there were no mentionable incidents surrounding the elections in the city till now. The law enforcers have engaged their utmost efforts to gain the confidence and trust of the voters. I think in the end, this effort will continue and we will maintain it.
Voting of Dhaka North and South City Corporation will be held on February 1.