The curtain falls on electioneering in 91 upazilas of 43 districts on Friday midnight, 32 hours before the opening of voting in the upazilas.
In the fourth phase of the 4th upazila elections, the voting will be held from 8am to 4pm on Sunday without any break in the 91 upazila parishads.
As per the law, one has to stop election campaign in upazilas 32 hours before the voting starts.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Zabed Ali told UNB that the commission had asked the law enforcing agencies to deal with the violation of polls codes.
He urged all quarters, including the candidates, their supporters and voters to cooperate with the law enforcers and the administration by abiding by the laws.
One platoon of army members was deployed on Friday in each upazila, and they will work as a striking force to maintain an election-friendly environment in the areas till Tuesday, sources at the Election Commission Secretariat said.
Alongside regular law enforcement agencies, BGB members are working as striking force in the election areas. Besides, a team of 14-16 security men will guard each polling station.
As many as 364 magistrates — 273 executive and 91 judicial ones –have been appointed to lead mobile courts in the polls areas with a view to curbing any possible election violence and violation of polls codes.
A total of 1,186 candidates are contesting the elections against 273 posts in the 91 upazilas. Of them, 389 are chairman candidates, 485 vice chairman contenders and 312 vice chairman candidates for the post set aside for women.
There are 1,38,59,278 voters — 69,07,965 men and 69,51,322 women — who can exercise their franchise in 39,516 booths of 5884 polling stations in the upazilas.
Some 1,24,000 election officials will be on election duty during the voting. Of the officials, 5884 are presiding officers, 39,516 assistant presiding officers and 79,032 are polling officials.
The 91 upazilas are Dhamrai in Dhaka, Pirganj in Thakurgaon, Bochaganj and Phulbari in Dinajpur, Panchbibi in Joypurhat, Gabtoli in Bogra, Tanore, Bagmara and Puthia in Rajshahi, Baraigram in Natore, Chowhali in Sirajganj, Ishwardi and Faridpur in Pabna, Narail Sadar, Daulatpur in Kushtia, Jibannagar in Chuadanga, Harinakunda in Jhenidah, Jessore Sadar and Keshabpur in Jessore, Chitalmari and Mollahat in Bagerhat, Terokhada, Rupsha, Batiaghata, Dacope and Fultala in Khulna, and Kalaroa in Satkhira.
The upazilas also include Betagi in Barguna, Patuakhali Sadar, Dumki, Bauphal, Golachipa and Mirzaganj in Patuakhali, Tazumuddin, Daulatkhan and Manpura in Bhola, Agailjhara, Ujirpur and Banaripara in Barisal, Jhalakati Sadar, Kathalia, Rajapur and Nalchity in Jhalakati, Bhandaria, Pirojpur Sadar, Mathbaria and Zianagar in Pirojpur, Kalihati, Madhupur, Nagarpur and Bhuapur in Tangail, Nalitabari in Sherpur, Haluaghat in Mymensingh, Madan in Netrakona, Bhairab, Itna, Katiadi, Mithamoin and Tarail in Kishoreganj, Gazaria in Munshiganj, Kaliakair in Gazipur, Shalla and Dharmapasha in Sunamganj, Sylhet Sadar and Kanaighat in Sylhet, Sreemongal, Sadar and Kamalganj in Moulvibazar, Habiganj Sadar, Nabiganj, Azmiriganj and Lakhai in Habiganj, Akhaura and Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, Meghna and Barua in Comilla, Sharwasti in Chandpur, Sonagazi and Fulgazi in Feni, Begumganj in Noakhali, Banshkhali, Rauzan, Fatikchhari, Rangunia, Boalkhali, Satkania and Anwara in Chittagong, Ramu and Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, Zurachhari in Rangamati, and Naikhanchhari in Bandarban.
On February 12, the Election Commission announced the fourth phase elections to 92 upazila parishads and a week later declared polls schedule for Dhamrai upazila in Dhaka fixing the balloting date on the same day.
Meanwhile, the commission has held elections to 293 upazila parishads — 98 upazilas in the first phase, 114 upazilas in the second phase and 81 in the third phase.
The EC also held the polls in 75 upazilas on March 31.
Source: UNBConnect
