No army in KCC polls: EC

Army will not be deployed in the upcoming Khulna city corporation polls scheduled for May 15, Election Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Islam said today.

"Deployment of army in the city corporation elections depends upon necessity. If there is no need, we don't want to deploy army in the local body election," Rafiqul told reporters at Khulna election office this noon.

Responding to a query about the use of the Electronic Voting Machine, the election commissioner said the commission will consider using the electronic voting device in the local body elections.

"If we can undertake all kinds of preparation without any fault, then we will use the Electronic Voting Machine in the Khulna city corporation elections," he said.

The Election Commission is equipped with all necessary preparation to arrange a free and fair election in the Khulna city corporation, Rafiqul said.

On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced the election schedule for Khulna and Gazipur city corporations at a press conference at the Nirbachon Bhaban in Dhaka.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is April 12, while the dates for scrutinising those are April 15 and 16, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 23.

Dhaka Regional Election Officer Rakibuddin Mandol has been made the returning officer for Gazipur City Corporation election, while Khulna Regional Election Officer Md Yunus Ali for Khulna City Corporation election.