Army personnel are on vigil on the city streets two days ahead of schedule to maintain law and order during the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections.

The army personnel moved around the city yesterday on jeeps and visited a few polling centres.

T hey also asked locals about the prevailing situation but declined to speak with journalists when a reporter of The Daily Star approached, asking them not to take snaps.

However, government officials in the city denied the deployment of the army ahead of schedule.

Witnesses said the army personnel visited a number of important points including MES College, Police Lines, in front of BWA Girls School and College, and Kazir Dewry.

"The army will be deployed during the polls but they'll take up position on May 7," said Golam Quddus, additional divisional commissioner and returning officer for the CCC polls.

On the appearance of army personnel on the streets and different polling centres, Quddus said, 'They’re moving on their own to get first hand idea.

"Probably, they are looking for suitable locations for setting up camps," he observed.

The witnesses said the army personnel were using at least six vehicles and carrying maps.

The returning officer claimed law and order is normal in the city and that there Is no clash between the supporters of rival candidates. He also ruled out the fears among the minority people of attacks and repression.

"We'll arrest anyone if they are found guilty of threatening the minority people or creating anarchy," said Quddus.

When asked about the minority people's demand of deploying the army three days before the polls and keeping them on vigil three more days after the election on May 9, the officer insisted the government must maintain rules for the deployment of army.

"We can’t take a decision without specific allegations or calls and there are none," he added.