No army deployment in Gazipur, Khulna city polls: EC

Election Commission (EC) today outright rejected BNP’s demands for army deployment in Gazipur and Khulna city corporation elections scheduled to be held on May 15.

"Election Commission does not have any plan to deploy army in the local government elections," Helal Uddin Ahmed, acting secretary of the Election Commission, told a questioner while addressing a press conference at the commission office in Dhaka this afternoon.

About Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Helal said the commission will use the electronic device in the election in line with the electoral code of conduct.

"BNP would be requested to oversee application process of the EVM if they have any specific objection in this regard," the EC official said.

About BNP's another demand for withdrawal of Gazipur Police Super Harun-ur-Rashid, Helal said, "The commission will take decision if it gets any specific allegation against any specific official.”

Earlier in the day, a six-member delegation of BNP held an hour-long meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at his Agargaon office and placed some recommendations for holding the Gazipur and Khulna city corporation elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.

"The commission will ensure security in all polling centres, create level playing field for all and appoint neutral polling officers and polls observers," he said.