Army to be deployed during national polls: EC Alamgir

Staff Reporter :
Election Commissioner (EC) Md. Alamgir on Sunday assured that army forces would be deployed during the upcoming parliamentary election to be held in January next year like the previous elections.

“The election schedule will be declared in the month of November keeping 45 days in hands.

But, the specific date cannot be told now.

I think the atmosphere for holding a free and fair election is prevailing in the country.

But, armed forces will be deployed during the election like the previous elections,” he said in response to a query while talking to media in his Nirbachan Bhan office at Agargaon in Dhaka.

He said, “The armed forces were deployed in all elections of our country in the past. There will be no exception this time.

He (Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal) also told about the matter in his speech.”

During the national election of 30 December in 2018, army personnel were deployed from December 24 to January 2 as striking force.

A total of 414 platoon (30 forces comprise a platoon) of army were deployed at 389 upazilas while 48 platoon of naval forces were deployed in 18 upazilas.

In the election of 2014, 50,000 army forces were deployed as striking force to assist the law enforcement agencies.

While speaking, EC Alamgir said, “We are taking preparation to hold the election in accordance with the Constitution.

As per Constitution, we see that the atmosphere is good now to hold the election.

The Constitution empowered the EC to hold the election within last 90 days of the existing parliament.”

“We are working to ensure presence of the foreign observers.

The foreign observers will come from different countries.

To ensure their entrance and security, support of the government is needed.

We are communicating with the government for the same purpose.

We are also inviting the foreign observer.

We will allow those who will intend to observe the election,” he added.

In response to a query about disbursement of ballot papers, the EC said, “It’s not yet decided.

But, the ballot papers will be sent in the morning where it’s possible.

The ballots would be sent a day ago, where it’s needed.

The decision would be taken during finalization of the polls schedule.”

Regarding the CEC’s statement about arrest in the political cases, the former EC Secretary said, “We will ensure that no one is harassed politically after announcement of polls schedule.

If there is any allegation against anyone, she/he can be arrested with the prior permission of the courts.

No one can be arrested for harassing politically after announcement of polls schedule without permission of the court.”