DHAKA: The Election Commission directed authorities concerned to arrest listed criminals and seize illegal arms ahead of three City Corporation Elections to be held on April 28.
Instructions were sent to the Interior Ministry and police Headquarters and all concerned authorities, said sources concerned.
The EC Directives, signed by Deputy Secretary Shamsul Alam, elaborated that the illegal weapons recovery drives will have to be strengthened for holding peaceful elections in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC).
The necessary measures will have to be taken to arrest the criminals making a list of suspected trouble makers.
Besides, the EC has asked to enhance security of minorities and women voters. The EC also instructed to take the necessary action as Women Voters and minorities can cast vote safely and also asked to publicize it.
The Commission has asked to take necessary steps for the formation of the vigilance and observation team, monitoring team and law enforcement cells.
Vigilance and Observation Team
This team will visit the polling areas to monitor whether anyone violates the code of conduct. The cell will file case against the law-breaker and submit Monitoring Report in the EC through the returning officer in every three days. This team will be formed under the leadership of the returning officer where assistant returning officer and divisional magistrate will be the members.
Election Monitoring Team
The team will be formed consisting returning officer as head of the team and the candidate's representative and the election agent as members where the Additional-regional election officer or assistant returning officer will be member of the Secretary. The Election Monitoring Team will submit report on the candidates’ comply with the code conduct to the EC in every seven days.
Law-enforcement Cell
The Home Ministry will form the cell comprising of officials concerned. The law enforcement cell will notify EC after taking the necessary action against rule violators.
Regarding the matter, Deputy Secretary of the EC Shamsul Alam told banglanews that the instructions have been sent to all concerned to create a peaceful atmosphere for holding elections.
Law enforcement agencies will fix their work plan through consultation with the Superintendents of Police (SP) and Officers-in-charge (OC) concerned, he added.
Voting in the three City elections will be held on April 28 as per the EC schedule. March 29 is the last day of filing nomination papers.
BDST: 1130 HRS, MAR 28, 2015
