The Election Commission (EC) yesterday directed the divisional commissioner of Chittagong to refrain from activities beyond his jurisdiction after he recently held a high-level meeting and took some vital decisions related to election.

The EC at an unscheduled meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner MA Syed observed that Divisional Commissioner Ashraful Moqbul does not have the jurisdiction to hold such meeting and take decisions regarding polls, sources said. The directive came only two days after withdrawal of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Amjad Hossain for his failure to perform duties impartially in the run up to May 9 polls of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC).

"We directed the divisional commissioner to refrain from such unnecessary activities and extend all-out cooperation to the returning officer," Election Commissioner AK Mohammad Ali told The Daily Star after the EC meeting.

"All activities of local administration should be done in the name of

the returning officer who is the only authorised officer. Otherwise legal question can be raised," he added.

The EC also directed the returning officer, Mohammad Golam Quddus, also additional divisional commissioner of Chittagong, to take effective measures against violation of electoral code of conduct by the contenders in the polls.

The divisional commissioner on May 2 held the high-level meeting at his office and took several decisions to ensure free and fair election and sent the meeting's minutes to EC.

Apart from decision about the number of army personnel to be deployed during the polls, the meeting decided to take video footage of the polling agents on the polls day. The meeting also decided to open a control room at the gymnasium of local stadium.

The returning officer, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Humayun Kabir, Deputy Election Commissioner for Chittagong Division Biswas Lutfur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Nesar Ahmed Rumi, Deputy Inspector General of Police Majedul Haq, CMP Commissioner Amjad Hossain, Col Arefin, Col Khaleque, sector commander of Bangladeshi Rifles and chief metropolitan magistrate attended the meeting.

The meeting decided that six platoons of army troops would be deployed two days ahead of the election. But EC officials said it is the jurisdiction of the returning officer to decide about army deployment and take necessary measures related to law and order.

"The returning officer is authorised by the election commission to do everything to ensure free and fair election. The divisional commissioner will cooperate him in this regard," an election commissioner told the meeting.

"Legal complexities may arise if the divisional commissioner continues doing such activities which is beyond his jurisdiction," he observed.

The EC discussed opposition-backed mayoral candidate ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury's allegation that 20 percent extra ballot papers are being printed for the CCC election. Electoral rules do not allow printing of extra ballot papers.

The EC also discussed the newspaper reports on incidents of violation of electoral code of conduct. A report published yesterday says the ruling alliance mayoral candidate has launched campaign with CNG autorickshaws and mike while the opposition-backed candidate set up election camps on the streets.

The EC directed the returning officer to probe the incidents.