Election Commission rules out army deployment for Narayanganj polls

The election commission has ruled out deployment of the army for the Narayanganj City Corporation elections describing the law and order situation 'better than normal.'

"The situation does not require deployment of troops," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said on Saturday.

"The law and order situation is better than normal and it will further improve," he told the media after a meeting with top law enforcing officials over of the Narayanganj City and District Council elections.

The CEC's statement comes amid the BNP's call for deploying army to 'ensure a free and fair poll.'

The election commission has been saying that there was no need for troops, but it took the final call after Saturday's meeting with law enforcing and intelligence agencies.

Representatives from the home ministry, police, border guards, coastguard, army, intelligence agencies and district administrations participated in the meeting with the commission.

The CEC appeared before the media after the meeting and said that the law enforcers are conducting raids to nab outlaws and others who might disrupt the elections.

"The law and order situation is better than normal. We have instructed law enforcers to take stern action. No one at any level will be spared," said CEC Ahmad.

He said that election officials have been given specific instruction on how to deal with incidents of booth capturing.

"We have told them to be extra cautious from the night before (the election) over matters like polling station capturing as well snatching and stuffing ballots."