Reduce polling centres, increase booths: DCs, SPs suggest to EC

Deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) of the country have suggested that the Election Commission (EC) reduce the number of polling centres and increase polling booths to ensure the deployment of sufficient numbers of law enforcement personnel at each voting centre.  

They floated the proposal in a meeting with the EC yesterday, with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Habibul Awal in the chair, ahead of the zila parishad elections slated for 17 October and the forthcoming national polls.

CEC Habibul Awal asked the DCs and the SPs to act impartially while the latter in turn recommended educating people on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

DCs and SPs of 61 districts, Home Ministry Senior Secretary Akhter Hossain and Additional IGP Atiqul Islam were present at the meeting held at the EC office in the capital.

Akhter Hossain said there were about 40,000 polling centres in the last parliamentary election and the number will increase to more than 43,000 in the next election.

"We have proposed to the commission to direct the district administration, field administration, police administration and public representatives to visit the polling stations. We said instead of having an unnecessary number of polling stations, a reasonable number of polling stations should be fixed in each union, so that law enforcement personnel can be properly deployed." mentioned the senior secretary.

CEC Habibul Awal said, "There is a connection between elections and law and order. They (DCs, SPs) gave meaningful advice of rearranging centres to make it easier for law enforcement and voters. We will discuss their proposal.

"They have suggested voter education on questions about EVMs; we will also do that," he added.

No bias, stresses CEC

Warning that the EC will be in a strong position this time, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal has instructed the DCs and SPs to act neutrally and without bias to ensure that the 12th parliamentary polls are free, fair and peaceful.

He asked them to be "impartial" and perform their duties with "utmost professionalism" during the polls.

"You must be aware of your responsibilities during the upcoming 12th general polls. Under no circumstances should your actions and behaviour reflect anything that would lead people to think that you are siding with any particular political party," the CEC said.

"Exercise all necessary powers to maintain a favourable election environment by ensuring law and order at any cost. A free, fair and peaceful election process that upholds people's voting rights must be ensured", he added.

Senior Secretary Akhter Hossain said, "We appointed new SPs in 40 districts some time ago. We have asked them to perform their duties impartially."

AIGP Atiqul Islam said, "The police administration will work under the EC during the elections and the police will perform their duty according to the EC's instructions."

He added that action will be taken if there is a complaint of bias against anyone.

CEC Habibul Awal also said in a multi-party democracy parliamentary system, there may be differences of opinion on various political matters.

"We are hopeful that the issues will be resolved," he said adding, "There is also a debate ongoing regarding the use of EVMs. We have evidence that using EVMs makes it easier to control electoral violence and vote rigging. Subject to availability, we have decided to use the machine in some 150 constituencies."

The CEC pointed out that the 12th national polls in the country must be completed on the same day, at the same time, in 42-43,000 polling stations.

"The task, though not easy, is not impossible, and must be accomplished successfully through collective efforts," he said.