Carry photo IDs when going out on election day: Rab DG

Director General of Rapid Action Battalion Benazir Ahmed today asked city dwellers to carry photo identity cards when venturing outdoors on the day of Dhaka city corporation election.

The Rab chief called upon those who are not even voters in the city polls but involved in campaigning to leave the city immediately.

“Many relatives of candidates took part in the election campaign. Thank you very much. We expect you now to leave Dhaka. Unnecessary Dhaka visits are being discouraged,” Benazir said while addressing a press conference at the Rab media centre at the capital’s Karwan Bazar.

Asked whether Rab will take any punitive action if anyone does not leave Dhaka, the Rab chief said it is not Rab’s objective to put anyone in jail and that law enforcement agencies want to ensuring that voters can cast their votes without trouble.

“There is no problem in coming out of the home for emergencies, medical treatment, job interviews and to travel abroad,” he added.

With Rab members being deployed today for election duty, the briefing was arranged to disclose where and how Rab members will be deployed.

The Rab DG also asked candidates to follow the electoral code of conduct and said if anyone tries to create chaos Rab will restrain them immediately. He also said any aggrieved candidates will be able to lodge complaints with the force.

Five capital-based Rab battalions and the elite force’s bomb disposal unit along with the dog squad started working from today and will be on duty on the day after the election.

Besides, check posts will be set up at different places and city entry points while Rab members will keep voting centres and surrounding areas under special vigil, said Benazir.

Moreover, there will be 129 mobile courts.