EC’s ‘nod not needed’ for arrest

Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz today said law enforcers do not need to take permission from Election Commission (EC) to arrest anyone.

"As far as I know, there is no such provision in electoral laws or code of conduct that law enforcers have to take our consent for arresting anyone," he said at his office at EC Secretariat in Dhaka.

He was answering a question whether law enforcers need EC's permission to arrest any mayor or councillor candidate of the Dhaka and Chittagong city polls.

Election to the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation elections will be held on April 28.

"The existing laws clearly state that what should be done, and how any person can be arrested. Everything will take place in accordance with laws," he added.

"Our major responsibility is to hold elections, not to check whom police arrest," Nawaz added.

However, he said the commission would look into 'unnecessary harassment', by law enforcers to any candidate.

Meanwhile, some Councillor aspirants, who failed to file nomination on the proposed deadline, today gathered at the EC to press home their demand for accepting their nomination.

However Shah Nawaz denied granting their appeal, saying, "It is not acceptable to receive (aspirants) nomination now."

The procession of flinging nomination started on March 19 and the deadline expired on Sunday (March 29) 5:00pm.