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Tight security for CCC polls

Army to work as striking force

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
A high-level meeting at the Election Commission (EC) yesterday chalked out stringent security measures to make the May 9 Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) polls free from any kinds of intimidation and violence.
The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Syed decided that army will be
deployed in the city corporation area a day before the poll to work as striking force. The forces will stay there until May 10.
Armed Forces Division will make the deployment in consultation with local administration, decided the meeting attended by high officials of the home ministry, army and different law enforcement agencies.
A huge contingent of police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), Coast
Guard and Ansar members will also be deployed as striking and mobile forces.
Besides, over 600 magistrates will be on election duties, the sources said. A number of mobile courts will be formed to hold instant trials of lawbreakers and troublemakers.
The meeting also decided that the intelligence agencies would send reports on vulnerable polling
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centres to the home ministry, the Armed Forces Division and the EC so that the authorities can initiate steps against any irregularities or violence.
Movement of motorcycles and microbuses will be banned in the city corporation area from the midnight of May 8 until 6:00am on May 10.
Another decision of the meeting was that no polling officials will be appointed from any controversial private institution.
The CEC said the administration and law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to ensure a fair election. "People want to see a free and fair election. I hope you will not disappoint them," the CEC told the officials concerned.
Senior officials of the law enforcement agencies however assured the EC of taking adequate measures to ensure a peaceful election.
A senior official of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) said they have identified a number of polling centres as vulnerable. They have also identified the security threats and are "keeping vigil on criminals," he added.
Responding to the DGFI official, Election Commissioner AK Mohammad Ali said if the intelligence agencies know who the
criminals are, then why the lawenforcers are not taking action against them. "Even you have not submitted any report on the vulnerable polling centres," sources quoted the election commissioner as saying at the meeting.
A senior official of divisional administration said some polling centres are vulnerable because of poor communication system.
Additional Inspector General of Police (SB) Abdul Quaiyum stressed the need for special security measures during and after the election.
Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong and Returning Officer of the CCC polls Golam Quddus said the law and order is under control so far. "We hope the law and order situation will be better after deployment of the army."
Election Commissioner Safiur Rahman, M Munsef Ali, Home Secretary Safar Raj Hossain, Inspector General of Police Mohammad Hadis Uddin, Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division Maj Gen Mustafa Rezenur, Director General of BDR Maj Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Director General of Ansar and VDP Maj Gen M Akbar Aktar also attended the meeting.