No need to deploy army in city polls, security forces tell EC

Security forces officials have advised the Election Commission against deploying the army.

The BNP has demanded army deployment to “ensure fair polling”, during the ensuing city corporations elections.

Elite police unit RAB’s Additional Director General Col Ziaul Ahsan informed reporters about Sunday’s meeting with the EC.

He said they did not anticipate violence during the Apr 28 polls.

“I’m from the army,” Ahsan said. “Everyone fears the RAB and there’s no need to call out the army.”

Bangladesh’s local government and national polls are often marred by violence that leaves many dead or injured.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, four election commissioners, returning officers, secretaries to the EC, home, inspector general of police, principal staff officer of the armed forces, BGB, coastguard, Ansar-VDP, various intelligence agencies, among others, attended Sunday’s meeting in Dhaka.

The BNP and various other quarters have been demanding army deployment to “ensure safety and fair elections”.

An organisation of citizens, SUJON, on Saturday raised similar demands.

The EC has not included army in its four-tier security plan.

Col Ahsan said keeping check on anyone trying to create unrest would ensure fair polling.

“Everyone at the meeting suggested against deploying army in the polls to three city corporations,” he said.

“The candidates will be busy trying to win [by persuading voters] and won’t create unrest. Anyone trying to create disorder will be arrested,” the RAB officer added.