The Election Commission has decided to shorten the general leave to half-day, instead of a whole day, for the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) election slated on March 29.
The EC has also decided to allow limited vehicle movement in the city so that the voters can go to vote centres to cast their votes.
On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner, KM Nurul Huda, announced the decision after a meeting with the officials of local administration, EC and law enforcement agencies in Chattogram Circuit House.
There is a four-day holiday that runs from March 26 to 29. Voters can move to different places during the vacation. Therefore, arrangements have been made to keep offices open half day on Election Day.
“We have taken the decisions to ensure the presence of voters at vote centres,” said K M Nurul Huda at a press briefing after the meeting.
He said there will be general leave from 26 March to 29 March, due to which, people may go on vacation and voter presence may be fewer. Now, we decided to cut the whole day general leave to half-day so that people can stay in the city.
“It has been decided to continue the movement of vehicles on limited scale- on voting day in the city,” he added. On the day of the election, engine-driven vehicle movement will remain stopped. CEC KM Nurul Huda has also directed law enforcement agencies to protect polling agents at polling stations in CCC elections.
Responding to a question, he said that security would be provided inside the polling stations. If someone is interrupted when he comes to the centre, we will take action. But the pre-condition is that we should be informed about the incident.
Referring to the accusations of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP, over harassing of polling agents in vote centres of two Dhaka City Corporations, he said, no one complained to us about the incidents, so the EC cannot take any action, there is no chance to investigate the accusation.
“In the meeting, I ordered the law enforcers and election officials to ensure full security for polling agents in voting centres.”
Nurul Huda also confirmed that still there is no possibility to suspend the CCC vote for coronavirus alert.
“Till it will not be declared a national emergency the preparation for voting continues. Still we think it has not come yet to Bangladesh,” he added.
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner AK Azad chaired the meeting and local officials of police and other law enforcement agencies were present.
CEC Nurul Huda met with the candidates of the CCC election on Saturday afternoon in the same venue. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, mayor candidate of ruling Awami League AL, and Dr Shadat Hossain, mayor candidate of BNP, and many other Councillor candidates were present.
