Municipal ElectionsPolls in Pabna, Gaibandha
Steps to ensure peace at 104 'risky' centres
Army, paramilitary troops, Rab, police and Ansars have been deployed in 104 'risky' centers in Pabna and Gaibandha districts to hold today's elections to ten municipalities of the districts peacefully.
In Pabna, police and intelligence agencies have identified 85 of the 93 polling centers in seven municipalities of the district as vulnerable to violence. Of them, 27 out of 32 centres are in Pabna, six out of nine in Vangura, all nine centers in Chatmohar, all nine centers in Santhia, all ten centers in Sujanagar, all 15 centres in Ishwardi, and all nine centers in Faridpur municipalities, reports our correspondent.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Mostafizur Rahman said army will remain as strike force in Pabna, Sujanagar and Ishwardi municipalities as these are most vulnerable to violence.
Besides, law enforcers, including police and Ansars, will be on-duty at the polling centres for peaceful election, the DC added.
District election office source said 93 presiding officers, 632 assistant presiding officers and 1264 polling officers have been engaged in conducting today's elections to the seven municipalities.
Our Gaibandha correspondent reported that as many as 19 out of 47 polling centers in three municipalities of the district have been identified as vulnerable to violence.
Of them, eight out of 27 are in Gaibandha, five out of nine in Sundarganj, and six out of 11 in Gobindaganj municipalities.
In Gaibandha municipality, the risky centers are Uttarpara Primary School, Bridge Road Primary School, Paschim Gobindapur Primary School, K N Road Primary School, Purbo Kamornai Primary School, Jummapara Hafizia Madrasa, Uttar Baniyerjan Ashraful Ulam Qawmi Madrasa and Sukhnager FDF Center.
The risky centers in Sundarganj municipality are Abdul Majid Mondol High School, Huravia Kha Community Primary School, Huravia Kha Primary School, Bhurerghat Dakhil Madrasa and Sundarganj Mohila Dakhil Madrasa.
Six risky centers in Gobindaganj municipality are Boalia Primary School, Boalia Secondary School, Khalshi Dakhil Madrasa, Panthapara Primary School, Panthapara High School and Shameem and Shalik Technical College.
District Election office set up 212 booths in 55 polling centres in three municipalities.
The district administration has taken all necessary measure to hold free, fair and peaceful elections to three municipalities today.
Meanwhile, Awami League Pabna district unit has expelled Jubo league secretary Ragib Hassan Tipu on Monday, just two days ahead of election, for ignoring party decision.
At a press conference at local press club yesterday, the district unit leaders announced Ragib's expulsion as he is in the mayoral race defying party decision.
Jubo League leader Ragib at another press conference at the same venue said the district Awami League has no right to expel a Jubo League leader.
Though AL nominated candidate Abu Ishaque Shamim is contesting for the mayoral post of Pabna municipality, Ragib is on the mayoral race.
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