Officials of the Election Commission fear that its field level offices may face attacks by extremist’ groups like in the 2014 general elections in the country.
“We have received such information from our field level officials. They feared that field level election offices may come under attacks like in the 2014 general polls,” a senior EC official told Bangladesh Post.
Citing the example of 2014 national elections, they said that at least 140 offices were attacked at that time. A petrol bomb was hurled at the election office in Bogura, they also said.
Fearing a recurrence of such incidents, they demanded to strengthen the security measures for the field offices. They also talked about the deployment of the Ansar battalion for the security of election officials and their offices, he added.
However, the EC directed regional and district election officials to write to the Superintendent of Police to ensure security, rejecting the proposal to deploy Ansar.
The commission secretariat has also informed the officials that they will discuss with the relevant ministries of the government about the matter.
Sources of the commission said this matter and other administrative activities were discussed at a meeting held on Saturday at the Nirbachan Bhaban.
In the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal instructed the field level officials to work in coordination with the local administration. He also said that the support from the government will be ensured to hold a free and fair poll.
On the occasion of the 12th national parliament election, the EC organized this views exchange meeting with the field officials for the first time.
Regional Election Officers of 10 regions of the country and District Election Officers of 64 districts participated in the meeting.
“Regarding the security of the EC field office, the officials said that some parties did not participate in the elections in 2014. Their activists attacked the field offices in that election. Deputy Commissioner, UNO and Superintendent of Police offices have security arrangements. But there is no security system in the election commission office,” meeting sources said.
“2014 may be repeated centring around the upcoming general polls. They demanded the deployment of Ansar in the security of the election office. In reply, the EC secretary said in the meeting that the appointment of Ansar is a procedural matter. Police will take security measures.” sources also said.
“CEC said that if the election officials send a letter asking for security, the commission will talk to the secretariat and government officials about the matter,” sources added.
About the matter, EC additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said “We have held a meeting with the field level officials. It’s a primary meeting with them. The EC has issued some instructions to them mainly on preparing voter lists and polling stations.”
He also said that the commission has asked them to work getting assistance from the Superintendent of Police in their respective areas.
Earlier, election commissioner Rashida Sultana on Sunday said there is no alternative to the government's support for fair elections, she said that government's support must be taken for fair elections. A fair election is not possible without their (government) support.