The country’s 139 upazilas are set to go to the polls today in the first phase of the four-phase upazila parishads polls amid boycotts of most opposition political parties, including the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Violence is feared, followed by allegations of intimidation by ruling Awami League people, who are contesting each other in most upazilas, albeit independently, as the party did not allocate its official election symbol boat to any candidate.
At a pre-poll press conference at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka, chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said that the commission had completed its preparation to hold the polls in a free and fair manner.
Awal said that ministers and lawmakers wouldn’t be allowed to exert influence in the upazila polls, which the commission would monitor centrally.
The chief election commissioner pledged immediate action if any ministers or lawmakers were found to be interfering in the elections.
He claimed that the EC succeeded in dissuading the ministers from interfering during electioneering.
‘Many are still staying in their constituencies. But all concerned have been asked so that none can exert any influence in the election,’ the CEC said.
Referring to four candidates on average against each post, the chief election commissioner claimed the upazila election would be competitive, despite the boycott of opposition parties.
He said that the commission was cautious to ensure that the enthusiasm surrounding the election did not translate into violence.
‘We are dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the voting process and ensuring that lawmakers and ministers do not sway the outcomes,’ he said.
Addressing concerns about boycotts, the CEC said, ‘We are focused on candidates competing rather than party rivalries. Where there are candidates, there will be votes.’
Providing logistical details, Awal said that voting would take place in 140 upazilas, with 22 of them utilising electronic voting machines.
Each centre will be manned by 17–19 law enforcement personnel and 19–21 in hilly regions to facilitate smooth law and order management, he said, adding that candidates and their teams engaging in unruly behaviour would face disqualification.
‘We are committed to conducting the voting process transparently. Local government elections garner significant enthusiasm, often exceeding national elections in turnout,’ he said.
AL failed to implement its decision to prevent candidates from the families of its lawmakers and ministers, while BNP fired at least 136 leaders for contesting the polls and violating party instructions.
The main opposition party is now conducting a campaign to boycott the polls, like the January 7 general election.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi led leaflet distribution programmes in Dhaka calling people to refrain from voting in upazila polls.
According to New Age correspondents from different districts, dozens, mostly AL people, were injured in clashes between supporters of rival candidates during electioneering.
New Age correspondent in Pabna reported that the Rapid Action Battalion detained Pabna’s Sujanagar upazila chairman candidate, upazila Awami League secretary Md Shahinuzzaman, and 10 others with around Tk 23 lakh on early Tuesday.
He was later released following the protests of his supporters.
New Age correspondent in Sirajganj reported that six people, including five presiding officers, were arrested on charge of holding a ‘secret meeting to work for a chairman candidate’ in Sirajganj Sadar upazila.
The local administration cancelled the appointment of 10 presiding officers, including the arrested ones, following the secret meeting.
Sirajganj deputy commissioner Mir Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, also the returning officer, confirmed the arrests at a press conference on Monday night.
He said that they conducted a joint drive with the police, election office, and district administration after being tipped off about the secret meeting at Garden Palace Resort in the Kadai area of Sadar upazila.
Though no one could be arrested from the spot later, some presiding officers were spotted on closed-circuit camera footage and were arrested, he said.
A total of 1,635 candidates are competing in the first phase. Among them, 570 are vying for the post of chairman, 625 for vice chairman, and 440 for female vice-chairman.
Candidates for all the posts in Hatia, Munshiganj Sadar, Bagerhat Sadar, Parshuram, and Shibchar upazillas have won unopposed, requiring no polling in the areas.
Apart from this, the EC has suspended voting in three upazilas in the hill district of Bandarban.
Depending on the number of voters and the importance of the polling stations, 2 to 4 platoons of BGB will perform duty in each upazila. The Coast Guard will act as a mobile and striking force on the islands of the coastal area, officials said.
A ban has been imposed on the movement of taxicabs, microbuses, pickups, trucks, launches, and engine-driven boats (except those plying on specific routes) in the respective constituencies from 12:00am today to 8:00 pm on Wednesday.
The existing ban on motorcycle movement will remain in force until Thursday midnight.
The public security department of the home ministry has issued instructions to licence holders not to travel with weapons or to carry and display them seven days before and seven days after polling.
In the first phase, 2,85,08,940 voters will exercise their voting rights in 10,491 polling centres.
New Age