“Conducting polls at 300 constituencies across the country on same day is very tough. The number of voters is also really huge,” Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said on Monday evening in an address to the nation.
“Maintaining law and order to hold such a big event is really tough. That’s why we have decided to deploy everyone’s favourite and trusted armed forces across the country along with VDP, Ansar, police, RAB, BGB and Coastguard during the 10th parliamentary election.”
Broadcast of the CEC’s recorded speech on government-controlled Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar started at 7:30pm.
Ahmad said, “I hope, with everyone’s help we will be able to give a peaceful, fair and credible election to the nation.”
He also asked the voters to choose their representatives on their own for the next Parliament. “It is not just their constitutional right, it is their duty and responsibility.”
“Ensure your rights by exercising your voting rights…Make your judgement. Do your national duty without any fear,” he told the voters.
No national election has been held in Bangladesh without the deployment of army since independence.