EC seeks additional police security for CEC, secretary, 4 commissioners
The move comes after the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha and Dhaka-8 aspirant independent candidate, which occurred one day after the election schedule was announced.
Highlights
- EC seeks extra police escort for the CEC, four commissioners and senior secretary
- Move follows election schedule announcement and shooting of Osman Hadi
- EC orders nationwide security reinforcement for election offices
- Decision comes after attacks on election offices in Lakshmipur and Pirojpur
The Election Commission has sought additional police escorts from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for the chief election commissioner (CEC), senior secretary of the EC Secretariat and four election commissioners, citing the need for uninterrupted and safe discharge of duties in the upcoming national election.
The commission has requested police escorts for CEC AMM Nasir Uddin, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed, commissioners Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
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A letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, was sent today (13 December) to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali, requesting enhanced police escorts.
The move comes after the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, the spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha and Dhaka-8 aspirant independent candidate, which occurred one day after the election schedule was announced.
While a police escort with a vehicle is currently in place for the CEC, the letter requested an additional escort vehicle for him during the election period.
It also sought round-the-clock police escorts with vehicles for the four commissioners and the senior secretary for travel between their residences and offices in Dhaka.
The letter stressed that these measures are "urgent and necessary" to ensure their duties are performed without hindrance and in a safe environment during the election period.
In the letter, the commission noted that the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election was issued on 11 December, necessitating special security arrangements for the CEC, commissioners and the senior secretary.
Separately, the EC has also written to the inspector general of police (IGP) and other relevant authorities, directing them to strengthen security for the CEC, election commissioners, the EC secretary, returning officers and all election offices across the country.
Deputy Secretary Monir Hossain said the letters asked for enhanced police escorts for the CEC, commissioners and the EC secretary; appointment of gunmen for returning officers in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna; increased security for other returning officers; and comprehensive security measures for election offices nationwide.
In the letter sent to IGP, the EC mentioned incidents of arson at the Lakshmipur district election office and the Mathbaria election office in Pirojpur following the schedule announcement.
Given that important documents and election materials are stored at regional, district and upazila/thana election offices, the commission instructed the deployment of adequate police forces to ensure the safety of officials and materials.
There are 10 regional election offices, 64 district election offices and 522 upazila/thana election offices across the country.
The 13th parliamentary election and a referendum are scheduled to be held on 12 February, according to the schedule.
