N'ganj Polls
Army to be deployed if needed
Says Sakhawat
Election Commission (EC) might consider deploying the army if law enforcement agencies fail to maintain law and order prior to the maiden Narayanganj City Corporation poll, said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Muhammad Sakhawat Hussain yesterday.
At a view exchange meeting with the prospective candidates and people from all walks of life at Shaheed Zia Auditorium in the city's Chasara, he said a free and fair poll is possible with the help of law enforcement agencies.
“This is the last election under the present commission outside Dhaka and the commission is firm to hold it in a free and fair manner by any means,” he added.
Efforts of the administration and police officials are being monitored and a coordinator will be appointed in each police station under the city corporation. The commission will take strict action if any irregularities are found, Sakhawat cautioned.
Three mayoral candidates Taimur Alam Khandoker, president of district unit BNP; Shamim Osman, former Awami League (AL) lawmaker; and Dr Selina Hayat Ivy, the immediate past mayor of the now defunct Narayanganj municipality; also spoke at the programme.
Taimur urged Sakhawat to reshuffle the current “biased” administration. Echoing the same, Ivy, a vice president of the town unit of AL, demanded immediate deployment of the army ahead of the poll.
Shamim, in contrary, said the law and order situation of Narayanganj is much better than any other district.
Shamim got bail in an arms case filed against him during the last BNP-Jamaat government. Acting District and Session Judge Ali Akbar passed the bail order yesterday after Shamim sought bail before it.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments