The army is likely to be deployed after mid-December ahead of the country’s 10th parliamentary election slated for January 5.
The Election Commission will take the decision in this regard following a meeting with returning officers in mid-December.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Thursday said, “It’s yet to be decided when the army will be deployed. “It’ll be decided after a meeting with returning officers.”
The CEC came up with the remarks after a meeting with the top brasses of law-enforcing agencies to finalise strategies to create an election-friendly environment.
The meeting with the returning officers is usually held after the allocation of election symbols among the candidates, an election commission told UNB.
According to the election schedule, election symbols will be allocated among the candidates on December 14.
The CEC, however, said, “It has been conveyed on behalf of the army that they’re ready to provide support to the Election Commission as and when required.”
Replying to a query, he said the army will be deployed in due time. Prior to that, law-enforcing agencies are taking all-out steps to protect public life and property.
But the commission wanted to deploy the army before the withdrawal of candidature in the wake of countrywide violence amid the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance’s rail-road-waterways blockade, EC secretariat sources said.
The commission changed its stance as representatives of the armed forces division in the meeting with the law enforcing agencies on Thursday pointed out their limitation for early deployment due to its engagement in winter exercise.
Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker, Principal staff officer of the Armed Force Division Lt Gen Abu Belal Md Shafiul Haque, Senior Secretary of the home ministry SQK Mostak Ahmed, BGB DG Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed, Rab Director General (DG) Mokhlesur Rahman, NSI DG Maj Gen (retd) Manzur Ahmad, Ansar DG Maj Gen Nazim Uddin, Coast Guard DG Rear Admiral Kazi Sarwar Hossain, Director of DGFI Brig Gen Md Sirajul Islam Sikder and Additional IGP (Special Branch) Dr Mohammed Javed Patwari were present in the meeting.
Source: UNBConnect
