Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helaluddin Ahmad on Friday said that strict instructions had been given to the police administration for not harassing the BNP’s leaders and workers.
The Commission has no knowledge about the attack on Dr Kamal Hossain’s motorcade. In the sense that none lodged any written complaint in this regard,” he told reporters in response to a question while briefing the reporters on Friday afternoon.
The EC Secretary spoke on various aspects of the election in the briefing. He said that
BNP complained about police arresting its leaders and activists while carrying election campaign.
In response, the EC Secretary said the issues were sent to the Electoral Inquiry Committee. The committee will send the report to EC after fair investigation.
The EC secretary also said that those had been arrested against whom there were arrest warrants. But they could not be arrested because they were hiding. Now the police are arresting those who were coming in the streets on the occasion of the election.
Regarding training of election officials, Helaluddin Ahmed said, the returning officers and the assistant returning officers are yet to be imparted training. Giving of all other trainingss is over.
The numbers of candidates are increasing due to the High Court directive. The EC has to the these candidate related issues. The EC will begin the printing of ballot papers. But seven days before polling, the ballots will be sent to the electoral areas.
Regarding the deployment of the army, the EC secretary said, the army will be deployed for 10 days with assignment to help the civil administration.
When asked whether the army will be given judicial powers, The executive and the judicial magistrates will do that work.
Regarding use of mobile phones in the polling centers, the EC secretary said, “Only the presiding officers and the police can use. Others can carry only. However, no final decision on this issue is taken yet. The commission will make the final decision.
Now the election under the party government is being held with different perspectives. All the parties are coming to the polls. So there is a strong argument n favour of using mobile phones in the polling centres..
