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EC body to watch law, order affair

SC nods to 286 judicial magistrates to try polls offences; campaign time extended by 16 hours

Shakhawat Liton
The Election Commission (EC) is assembling a special committee to monitor law and order round the clock for the December 29 polls, and if necessary, issue immediate instructions from its secretariat.
In another development, the EC yesterday appointed 286 judicial magistrates to try grave electoral offences from tomorrow. The appointments came on approval of the Supreme Court (SC).
The decision will add to uncertainty over the establishment ministry's appointment of319 executive magistrates Monday.
According to the apex court, only the judicial magistrates can try offences punishable by imprisonment and fine.
Meanwhile, the commission has extended the time limit for electioneering by 16 hours. The extension, which allows canvassing till midnight December 27, does not conform to the electoral laws requiring campaigns to be stopped at 8:00am on December 27, EC Secretariat sourcessaid.
LAW AND ORDER CELL The EC is forming the special cell for constant watch on law and order as it does not want to waste time waiting for information from the law enforcement agencies.
Withdrawal of the state of the emergency on December 17 was a major consideration when the commission took the decision.
To be comprised of senior officials of the armed forces, home ministry and law-enforcement agencies, the cell wall work until a few days after the election. It will base itself in the EC Secretariat, said EC officials.
In a letter yesterday, the commission asked the home ministry, Armed Forces Division and the headquarters of police. Rab and armed police battalion each to send a senior official to represent them in the cell.
According to terms of reference, the committee led by a joint secretary of the EC Secretariat will constantly update the commission on the law and order on, and a few days before and after the election day.
Representatives of the law enforcement agencies will Either information about the test developments and pass it to the EC. They will also dispatch the EC instructions for their officials on the field, said the letter.
Besides, the cell will coordinate the work of various agencies and forces.
In the previous elections, the commission had to wait for reports from the law enforcement agencies.
EC Secretariat officials said that this time they are working to ensure a seamless flow of information to decide instantly how the law enforcers should handle extraordinary situations, if any.
Meanwhile, the EC Secretariat today starts sending election materials to district level administration. On die first day. the districts in Rajshahi, Chittagong and Syihet divisions will receive materials that include various forms and leaflets. The districts in Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal divisions will receive theirs tomorrow, said EC sources.
EC officials said printing of ballot papers is almost complete and that they will not have any troubles finishing the task on time.
TIME EXTENSION
As per the electoral laws, electioneering should be stopped 48 hours before the voting starts at 8:00am on December 29.
However, the EC Secretariat yesterday directed the returning officers to allow the political parties and candidates to campaign till midnight December 27.
EC officials said they have stretched the time limit as the contestants did not get enough time for canvassing due to the state of emergency.
MAGISTRATES
In a letter yesterday afternoon, the Supreme Court registrar's office informed the law ministry that it had approved the. EC's proposal to employ judicial magistrates for trial of electoral offences.
Acopyoi the leue^was sent to the EC Secretariat: A gazette notification on appointments of 286 judicial magistrates is likely to come today.
The judicial magistrates will take cognisance of electoral offences till December 31. In their assigned constituencies, they will hold summary trial.