BNP writes to EC for army deployment

BNP today handed over a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner demanding army deployment in the Narayanganj City Corporation election scheduled for December 22.

Army will have to be deployed in Narayanganj City Corporation a week ahead of its election to ensure a free and fair voting there, BNP said in the letter signed by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

A three-member delegation of the party led by its senior joint secretary general Rizvi Ahmed, handed over the letter to Mohammad Abdullah, secretary of election commission (EC) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

After announcement of schedule for the NCC polls, BNP has been demanding army deployment in the area for the sake of holding a free, fair and credible election at the fag end of tenure of the incumbent election commission.  

Talking to reporters after handing over the letter, Rizvi said his party hoped that the current EC will take proper initiatives to brighten its image.

In the letter, BNP said the EC should take steps for creating a level-playing field for all candidates, recovering illegal arms and ensuring a congenial atmosphere in the area so that voters can go to the polling stations and cast their votes without any threats.

Referring to the returning officer’s claim that all the polling stations are vulnerable, Rizvi said time is still adequate and the EC should take proper steps considering the situation.