The chief election commissioner has asked the law-enforcing agencies to ensure ‘no illegal activities’ in the polling centres during the city corporation elections.
Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad says the administration and police must work impartially.
“Do not spare anyone because of their faces on any issue. You must act impartially,” he said on Monday.
“Everyone must work in an unbiased manner. Keep the voting centres safe. Nothing illegal must occur in there in any way,” Ahmed said.
He also sought assistance from the contenders to ‘stop muscle power and use of black money’ during the polls.
The CEC’s had an interaction with all candidates in the Dhaka South City Corporation polls earlier in the day.
“The EC will do everything in its powers to ensure fair elections. The safe environment for the voters will be ensured so that they can go and vote without facing any hurdles,” he said.
Ahmed urged the candidates to abide by the electoral code of conduct and maintain the polls environment.
The DSCC election is set to take place along with Dhaka North and Chittagong City Corporations on Apr 28.
As some candidates alleged that muscle power and black money were already in use, the CEC said, “This must be stopped. You should let us (EC), the returning officer and police know if you have any information regarding this.”
“Give us specific information, we will take action,” he added.
Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad warned that no one would be able to get away by concealing information or providing false data in their affidavits.
“We are taking measures whenever such incidents are taking place. Stern actions will follow. No one will be spared. Candidacy can be scrapped in future too.”
There were allegations that malpractices including forcible occupation of voting centres had taken place during the Upazila polls that was organised by the current Election Commission last year.
More than six million voters of the three city corporations will cast their votes on the Apr 28 elections.
Before Monday’s interaction with Dhaka South contenders, the EC held an interactive discussion in Chittagong on Saturday and in Dhaka North on Sunday.
The Commission is set to sit with the law-enforcing agencies on Apr 19. The CEC reiterated on Monday that the decision to deploy the army during the civic polls would be made during the meeting.
Source: Bd news24