NCC polls: CEC says ‘no’ to army deployment

The Chief Election Commissioner, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, on Saturday said that the law and order situation in Narayanganj was not that bad which needed army deployment in the city corporation polls, slated for December 22.
Local law enforcing agencies told the EC that the law and order in the district was now ‘better than normal,’ CEC said.
The CEC came up with the remark after holding a meeting to review law and order situation of Narayanganj at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon, ahead of Narayanganj City Corporation and Zila Parishad polls (Dec 28).
Earlier, BNP’s mayor candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan had urged the Election Commission to take initiatives to deploy troops during the city polls, a call opposed by ruling Awami League’s mayor candidate, Selina Hayat Ivy.
The situation in Narayanganj is now being closely monitored, he said adding no irregularities will be tolerated.
The CEC said the commission has directed the law enforcement agencies to recover illegal arms and arrest criminals in the district. 
‘The drive (against illegal arms and criminals) is now going on. We have asked them to make their drives more effective ahead of NCC polls,’ Rakibuddin said. 
While responding to a reporter, about Friday’s press briefing held by Narayanganj lawmaker Shamim Osman– where he allegedly violated the electoral code of conduct seeking votes for Ivy, which he should not have done as a parliamentarian–the CEC said that he was not aware of the briefing.
‘I have no idea about the matter; I just heard the matter from you (journalists) now. The returning officer may be aware of it. He should take action if the electoral code of conduct was breached by anybody,’ he said. 
Chaired by the CEC, the meeting was attended by top officials from across police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard of Bangladesh, Ansar, Bangladesh Coast Guard, the Armed Force Division, intelligence agencies, the home ministry and the local government ministry.
Four election commissioners, the EC secretary, returning officers of the election and the deputy commissioner of the district attended the meeting.

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