The latest Election Commission review ahead of Saturday’s elections in Sylhet, Barisal, Rajshahi and Khulna stated that law enforcers had taken specific measures against possible trouble in Rajshahi and Sylhet. They also claimed to have eliminated chances of clashes in Barisal.
The security agencies did not foresee any likelihood of votes being rigged.
Senior security officers had a meeting with the EC on Wednesday where these matters were discussed the ground assessment made by them was put on record.
Election Commissioners Abdul Mubarak, Abu Hafiz, Brigadier General Md. Zabed Ali (retd.) and Mohammad Shah Nawaz were present at the meeting.
The Election Commission had reasons to worry in the face of complaints and counter-complaints lodged by rivals. Additional Secretary of the EC Secretariat, Shirajul Islam, said the meeting had begun on a note of apprehension.
“There is nothing to be alarmed about the election environment. There is still nothing to suggest that the votes will be rigged or foiled,” said Police Deputy Inspector General (Special Branch) Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.
He admitted to having detective inputs about possible chaos in Sylhet and Rajshahi triggered by the bursting of hand-made bombs.
He said he had also been tipped off about chances of clashes between the councilor candidates in Barisal.
He recommended the prohibition of victory processions after the declaration of results.
Director General of NSI Maj Gen (ret) Monjur Ahmed said: “It’s possible to conduct these elections without an army deployment. But there will be stiff competition in the polls.”
He stressed that criminals did not belong to any group but worked for money. “They will try to control the centres that are risky. They will be arrested before election day,” he said.
The NSI chief said some of the candidates in Khulna, who, he believed, had ties with the extremist group, ‘Sorbohara’, needed to be watched.
DGFI Director General Brigadier Gen Akbar said there was still no evidence of any ‘organised crime’ or attempts to destabilize the polls.
“There might be some chaos in Sylhet and Khulna since the candidates have affiliations with political groups and criminals. Islami Chhatra Shibir activists may try to carry out criminal acts in Rajshahi,” he said.
The official said the authorities concerned were being alerted about these particular places where Shibir activists could try to create trouble.
RAB Director General Mokhlesur Rahman said they were working to ensure an overall calm. Additional Police Inspector General AKM Shahidul Haque said they had received the necessary directives from the headquarters. Special operations were on to arrest criminals, he said.
“The presence of the BGB will be sufficiently visible to create confidence among voters,” he said.
Ansar and VDP Deputy Director General AKM Mizanur Rahman advised against ‘overreacting’ while on duty during the highly sensitive polls.
Armed criminals, hiding in the Sundarbans, could enter the towns through Koyra and Dakop to lend a hand in criminal acts, said Deputy Director General Commodore Rajib for the Coast Guard. “An operation is on to catch them.”
Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Home Kamal Kanti Baidya\ assured the EC that all initiatives were being taken to secure a fair election.
Information was being gathered from all places, he said, and added that clashes usually erupted in councils recording slender victory margins.
“The political parties are viewing the four city elections as a matter of prestige. But the situation is now positive. There is no cause for alarm.”
CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed said, “This election is not partisan but the candidates have the endorsement of big political groups. We have to keep that in mind. The drive to arrest criminals must be conducted in all areas. Detentions must be made if necessary. All necessary measures must be taken with alacrity.”
He advised the heads of the law enforcing agencies to maintain control by using a ‘limited amount of force”.
The elections to the four city corporations will be held from 8am to 4pm. The commission is believed to have completed all preparations.
Four cities under security blanket
A total of 20,000 security personnel will guard voting centres as striking and mobile forces in Saturday’s election.
Every voting centre will have 22 to 24 policemen, APBn and Battalion Ansar; total 118 mobile force; 40 striking force; 60 teams of RAB personnel; 21 BGB platoons and 5 platoons of the Coast Guards, according to a Home Ministry release.
A total of 91 Executive Magistrates and 27 Judicial Magistrates will lead the mobile and strike force.
The Election Commission’s own observers will also be stationed at all the centres. The Returning Officer will be in charge of supervising all these law enforcement agencies.
The Returning Officer and the Assistant Retuning Officers will hold discussions with these agencies before they implement plans.
The previous Election Commission had got no response from the government after they requested army deployment for the Narayanganj Coty Corporation polls.
BNP has been demanding that the army be present for the city polls on Saturday but the CEC has maintained that the situation does not warrant that yet.