EC ‘not concerned’ over law and order before polls

EC secretary says Swedish ambassador is satisfied with election arrangements

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has claimed there is “no concern” about the law and order situation ahead of the national election.

After a meeting with the Swedish ambassador on Tuesday, he said they were briefed on the law and order situation, measures to prevent misinformation, and overall preparations for the elections.

They expressed satisfaction with the EC’s arrangements, he added.

The Swedish delegation, led by Ambassador Nicolas Weeks, met with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon.

The national election and referendum will be held on Feb 12. Candidate campaigns will start on Thursday.

The day after the election schedule was announced, Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was shot and later died while undergoing treatment.

Earlier, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud noted the EC’s “slight concerns” over the killing of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami workers in Chattogram’s Raozan, bomb blasts in Shariatpur, and “mob violence” across the nation.

Akhtar said the Swedish ambassador and first secretary (Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equity) were briefed on the overall election situation, preparations, party registration, and appeal procedures.

The commission will hold a press briefing on the elections on Jan 25.