Elections to Cumilla City Corporation (CCC), six municipalities and 135 Union Parishads (UPs) at different parts of the country are being held today (Wednesday).
These elections are the first initiative of the newly appointed Election Commission (EC) after it was appointed on February 26. Voting are being held using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
Officials of the EC and Police said that security measures have been taken to ensure peaceful polls in CCC, six municipalities and 135 UPs.
Police in Cumilla said that the whole Cumilla city has been brought under security blanket. The law enforcement agencies have done whatever is needed to ensure security and at least 75 check-posts were installed in the city.
Besides, 27 magistrates in 27 wards of the city and 3,608 members of law enforcement agencies are already in the field to maintain law and order, he added.
According to sources, five candidates are contesting the CCC Mayor election. It will be the third election of the Cumilla City Corporation after its formation in 2011.
The last Cumilla city election was held on Mar 30, 2017. BNP leader Monirul Haque Sakku was elected mayor for the second term in the polls.
According to the EC authorities, in view of holding the CCC elections free, fair and transparent, the EC authorities have set-up Closed-Circuit Television (CCTVs) cameras at every polling room and centre alongside the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Officials of the EC said that the CCTVs have been installed for the purposes of monitoring the entire voting activities and smooth management of the election process. The CCTVs would also help holding the elections free, fair and maintain transparency, they said.
There are a total of 640 rooms for polling booths in 105 centres under 26 wards of the CCC. As a result, a total of 745 CCTV cameras have been installed for 640 rooms and 105 centres while 95 more CCTV cameras have been installed at some other strategic points.
