Police to act against convicted aspirants

Police have indicated to spare no-one amid BNP leaders’ call to stop arresting and harassing their supporters in cases during the city corporation polls.

Legal steps would be taken against those convicted under the Penal Code or denied.

Bail who would run for election without court’s permission, Detective Branch Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam said on Thursday.
 
“No one will be able to take part in the elections by violating law,” he said.
 
Most of the top leaders of BNP, including Chairperson Khaleda Zia, are accused in several cases over violence during anti-government protests.
 
Many BNP leaders have collected nomination papers with the party yet to take a decision on taking part in the elections.
 
BNP’s Finance Affairs Secretary Abdus Salam, former MP Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and pro-BNP teacher Selim Bhuyian have collected nomination papers to run for mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.
 
Khaleda’s Adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo has collected the papers for Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral election and M Manjur Alam is seeking re-election as Chittagong City Corporation mayor.
 
Mintoo and Salam are on bail in several cases. Bhuyian is behind bars in a case over acts of sabotage and Pintu is serving life term for his ties to Peelkhana massacre of border guards.
 
Many of the councillor aspirants also have cases against them.
 
Earlier on Thursday, BNP Standing Committee Member Mahbubur Rahman demanded release of BNP leaders and activists detained in prison in “false cases” to create a ‘level playing field’.
 
Pro-BNP professionals on Wednesday urged the Election Commission to allow arrested and accused aspirants to campaign unhindered and not to take administrative steps against candidates backed by non-ruling parties.
 
DMP’s Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam spoke to bdnews24.com about security during the polls following the call.
 
He said police will do their duty to ensure peaceful voting by 4.2 million voters of Dhaka and Chittagong on Apr 28.
 
Detectives will strengthen area-wise vigilance after the list of candidates are announced, he said.
 
“We are thinking about taking immediate steps if information on disorder is received,” he added.
 
Aspirants will be able to collect and submit nomination papers until Mar 29. The list of candidates will be announced after the deadline to withdraw nomination ends on Apr 9.
 
The DB official also said the detectives were gathering information to stop use of illegal arms during the polls.