It’s embarrassing, CEC says on presiding officers’ ‘harassment’

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today instructed law enforcers “not to harass” presiding officers ahead of the upcoming elections.

The instruction came in purview of lawmen walking up to the doorsteps of presiding officers for “verification” purpose, according to what the CEC said.

“We did not instruct you to do this. Don’t do this. This is embarrassing. We did not want this,” the CEC said at a special meeting with the law enforcers.

The inspector general of police, metropolitan commissioners, deputy inspector general, and superintendent of police were present in the meeting at Agargaon.

CEC Huda also urged law enforcers not to file harassment cases against anyone and said: “Police is filing harassment cases against people. Do not do that.”

The law enforcers were also asked to ensure the safety of minority communities so that they can cast their votes safely and return home.

WHAT IS THE ALLEGATION AGAINST COPS OVER THE ‘HARASSMENT’?

Police were gathering a host of personal information, including political leanings, about probable polling officials in many districts, according to a number of media reports published recently.

Many of the prospective polling officials, mostly school and college teachers said they worked as presiding officer, assistant presiding officer and polling officer in past elections without having to go through such verification.

Dozens of teachers in Narayanganj, Pabna, Dinajpur, Satkhira and Kushtia talked to The Daily Star recently about their concerns.

The information being gathered by police includes the names of possible polling officers and their family members and political affiliations of all members of the families.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken on November 12.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.