Troops will be deployed at the voting centres, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used, says the Election Commission (EC).
“We are planning to deploy army for technical support and protection,” EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told the media on Saturday (Nov 10).
However, the EC has not agreed to a decision regarding the matter hence nothing is set, he added.
Commenting on the ruling Awami League’s celebratory processions after the announcement of polls schedule, the EC secretary said, “The election is a celebration in Bangladesh. I don’t think their celebrations are against the law.”
According to him, the processions do not violate the electoral code of conduct.
On Jatiya Oikya Front’s Rajshahi rally, Ahmed said “We let them hold the rally because they had already taken permission from the authorities concerned.
“But we have instructed the law enforcers to not give permission for any more rallies.”
On Nov 8, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced in a televised address that the 11th Parliamentary Elections will take place on Dec 23.
He also announced that EVMs will be used at certain polling stations in the cities amidst criticism from various political parties.
The Commission also fixed Nov 19 as the deadline for the submitting the nominations, which will be scrutinised on Nov 22 and the deadline for pulling out of the race has been fixed Nov 29.
All over the country, many hopefuls have already started purchasing the nomination forms for their chosen constituencies.