BNP criticises EC strategy on army deployment

BNP has criticised the Election Commission’s strategy over army deployment during the upcoming city corporation elections to Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations.

Hours after media reports that EC wants army to remain at their barracks and to provide assistance only if the returning officer asks for so, BNP said it was not what it wanted.

On Tuesday, the EC decided to ask the government to deploy army from April 26 to April 29 in Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations to maintain law and order during the April 28 city polls.

A day later, BNP called for deployment of army at every polling centre during the April 28 city corporation elections to ensure free and fair voting. It also wanted that the army should get magistracy power.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters at Nayapaltan in Dhaka today, Asaduzzaman Ripon, BNP’s international affair secretary, said “the EC was doing a tactic” regarding army deployment.

Ripon also urged the government not to try to manipulate votes during the polls.

Representatives from different countries will observe the elections, he cautioned to the government.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz this afternoon said the army would remain at their respective barracks as reserved forces during the polls in the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations.

“Army will not patrol on the streets during the polls but will remain prepared as reserved force at their respective barracks,” Shah Nawaz told reporters at his EC Secretariat office in Dhaka this afternoon.

Army will play their roles as striking force during the polls if returning officers seek any help from them, the EC said.