The curtain falls on the tense election campaign in 116 upazila parishads of the country’s 52 districts on Tuesday midnight, 32 hours before the voting opens in the upazilas.
The voting will take place from 8am to 4pm on Thursday without any break in the second phase election in the 116 upazilas.
“No one can call or participate in any rally, procession or showdown in the election areas for 64 hours — 32 hours before the voting and the same period after that,” said an Election Commission press release on Tuesday.
Besides, the release said, no one can indulge in aggressive or anarchic behaviour or intimidate voters or any person engaged in election duty, or brandish arms or flex muscle.
If anyone is found guilty of such acts, s/he will be punished by six months to five years’ jail or Tk 50,000 fine or by both, the release added.
Meanwhile, a platoon of the army (34 members) has already been deployed in each upazila for five days, EC secretariat sources said.
The army personnel were deployed on Tuesday to work as striking forces to maintain election-friendly environment in the polls areas.
Alongside regular law enforcement agencies, BGB members are working as striking forces in the election areas. Besides, a team of 14-17 security men will guard each polling station.
A total of 1352 candidates are contesting the election against 348 posts in the 116 upazilas. Of them, 505 are chairman contenders, 511 vice chairman candidates and 336 are vice chairman candidates for the post set aside for women.
There are 1,96,62,648 voters — 98,40,868 males and 98,21,780 females– who can exercise their franchise through 51315 booths of 8063 polling stations in the upazilas.
Some 1,62,000 election officials will be there on polls duty during the voting. Of the officials, 8063 are presiding officers, 51315 assistant presiding officers and 102630 are polling officials.
The 116 upazilas are Tentulia in Panchagar district, Baliadangi and Ranishankail in Thakurgaon, Ghoraghat, Chirirbandar, Birampur and Birganj in Dinajpur, Kishoreganj in Nilphamari, Patgram, Lalmonirhat Sadar and Hatibanda in Lalmonirhat, Badarganj in Rangpur, Nageshwari, Rajarhat and Rajibpur in Kurigram, Polashbari in Gaibandha, Khetlal, Kalai and Joypurhat Sadar in Joypurhat, Kahalu, Shibganj, Adamdighi and Shahjahanpur in Bogra, Gomastapur in Chapainawabganj, Atrai, Neyamatpur, Patnitola, Badalgachi, Noagaon Sadar and Sapahar in Noagaon, Bagha in Rajshahi, Bagatipara, Gurudashpur, Lalpur and Natore Sadar in Natore, Tarash in Sirajganj, Chatmahar and Bhanghura in Pabna, Gangni and Mujibnagar in Meherpur, Kumarkhali, Khuksa and Mirpur in Kushtia, Moheshpur in Jhenidah, Chowgachha, Jikargachha, Bagharpara and Sharsha in Jessore, Mohammadpur and Salikha in Magura, Kachua and Fakirhat in Bagerhat, Damuria in Khulna, Shymnagar in Satkhira, Charfashion and Borhanuddin in Bhola, Barisal Sadar in Barisal, Kaukhali and Najirpur in Pirojpur, Sakhipur in Tangail, Islampur, Bakshiganj and Melandha in Jamalpur, Jhenaigati in Sherpur, Iswarganj, Bhaluka and Mymensingh Sadar, Kalamakanda, Khaliajuri, Purbadhola and Barhatta in Netrakona, Manikganj Sadar and Harirampur in Manikganj, Shreenagar and Munshiganj Sadar, Keraniganj and Savar in Dhaka, Shibpur in Narsingdi, Nagarkanda, Boalmari and Saltha in Faridpur, Kotalipara and Gopalganj Sadar in Gopalganj, Rajoir and Shibchar in Madaripur, Dirai and Sunamganj Sadar, Balaganj in Sylhet, Chunarughat in Habiganj, Sarail in Brahmanbaria, Debidwar, Monoharganj and Laksam in Comilla, Faridganj, Matlab Uttar, Matlab Dakkhin, Chandpur Sadar, Haimchar in Chandpur, Parshuram and Feni Sadar, Kabirhat, Companyganj, Chatkhil, Noakhali Sadar and Sonaimuri in Noakhali, Patiya and Lohagara in Chittagong, Pakua, Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar, Laxmichhari in Khagrachhari, Kaptai and Naniarchar in Rangamati, and Thanchi, Ruma, Rongchhari and Lama in Bandarban.
On January 23, the EC announced schedule for the second phase in 117 upazila parishads fixing voting for February 27. Later, the commission deferred the election in Moheshkahli upazila in Cox’s Bazar to March 1.
Earlier on February 19 and 24, the first phase election in 98 upazilas was held.
In the upazilas, 44 BNP-blessed chairman candidates, 34 Awami League-backed chairman candidates and 12 Jamaat-supported chairman candidates won the polls.
The EC, in five phases, declared election schedules for a total of 464 upazilas out of the country’s 487 upazilas.
The third phase election in 83 upazilas will be held on March 15, while the 4th phase in 92 upazilas on March 23 and the fifth phase in 74 upazilas on March 31.
Source: UNB Connect
