The Election Commission’s decision to keep army in the barrack during city elections manifests the government’s control over it, claims BNP’s Moudud Ahmed.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka on Friday, he said the EC’s decision on the army had “frustrated the BNP”.
The party had boycotted the 2014 national polls but decided to endorse candidates for Apr 28 city elections.
It has been demanding army deployment to “ensure free and fair polls.” The ruling Awami League rejected the demand until recently.
The EC on Wednesday said army would be kept as a ‘reserve and striking force’ and would come out on the street only if the returning officer deem it necessary.
But a day after seeking three battalions of troops, the EC sent another letter to the Armed Forces Division saying the army would stay in their barracks and would come out at the request of returning officers.
Moudud said, “They (the EC) are conducting polls with police and RAB. But we believe EC has changed its decision at the behest of the government.”
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad explained the rationale behind the changed decision saying, “They (army) need to stay in one place. We believe [staying inside] cantonment is the best position for them.”
The decision also drew flaks from BNP Standing Committee Member Mahbubur Rahman, a former army chief.
“We don’t want to see any more drama,” he said. “We want the army on election day for the sake of a free and fair balloting.”
Rahman said he believed army’s presence would encourage voters to go to polling stations “without any fear”.
Source: Bd news24
