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Worry over polls security

No drive yet against listed criminals

RASHIDUL HASAN from Kapasia, Gazipur
With only six days left for the Gazipur-4 by-polls, the election commission is yet to issue directives to local law enforcement agencies on launching drives against listed criminals in a bid to ensure a level playing field for the candidates.
Two of the three candidates--Afsaruddin Ahmad, the Awami League dissident, and Bangladesher Communist Party backed candidate Asadullah Badal—said they, along with the voters, were not happy with the "soft attitude" of the EC.
The EC so far had not taken strong measures against frequent violations of the electoral code of conduct by the
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candidates, especially by the ruling party-backed candidate Simeen Hussain Rimi and her supporters, they alleged.
Afsaruddin said yesterday " Some thugs chased me while I was campaigning for the vote in Kapasia on Saturday."
"For this reason, I did not dare to go to the upazila today," he added.
Afsaruddin and Asadullah also expressed concern over the holding of a free and fair by-poll in Gazipur-4 constituency, which fell vacant following the resignation of AL lawmaker Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj on July7.
While visiting the constituency in the last two days, it was seen that supporters of the ruling party-backed candidate were violating electoral code of conduct even in front of the local election officials.
Supporters of Simeen Hossain Rimi were also seen
barring their opponents from campaigning.
Delwar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kapasia Police Station, said they had not received any directive from the EC to conduct drives against listed criminals and recover illegal arms.
Usually, the EC directs the law enforcement agencies to launch drives against listed local criminals or recover illegal arms to maintain a voter friendly environment in a constituency.
Due to lack of security measures, Shushashoner Jonney Nagarik (Shujan), a citizens' body for good governance, cancelled its prescheduled projection meeting in Kapasia on Wednesday.
Quoting local police, officials of Shujan in Kapasia said "The law enforcers informed us that they did not have enough personnel and it would be impossible for them
to control any untoward situation, if it arose."
Afsaruddin Ahmad, the independent candidate, denied attending the Shujan meeting, sources in Shujan said.
Iqbal Haider, Shujan general secretary of Kapasia, said the EC was yet to ensure a level playing field for all the candidates.
"We do not see any hint that the EC will take the initiative to ensure equal opportunity for all candidates during the rest oftheelectiondays," headded.
Mihir Sarwar Morshed, district returning officer, said "The chief election commissioner would pay a visit to the district today [Monday] and hold talks with the candidates."
This is the first ever election to be held on September 30 under the present new election commission constituted in February this year.