Despite repeated calls from the BNP, the Election Commission says it finds no reason to deploy army for the Jul 30 elections to the three city corporations.
The EC made it clear on Monday after a four-member BNP delegation met with the Chief Election Commissioner at its office.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury said, “All preparation is set to hold a free and fair election.”
“No one will be spared if any political party tries to rig the voting to put the polls on question. However, there is no reason to deploy the army.”
The EC has taken a hard stance to prevent any irregularities in the election to Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet cities, claimed Chowdhury.
Prior to that, BNP delegation, led by its National Standing Committee member Abdul Moin Khan, met the CEC.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Khan said, “We have given the EC our six specific demands on the city polls, including deployment of army.”
“The police in the three cities have locked in widespread arrest of BNP supporters. They even pick up the party men who face no charges. We have given the EC a list of our activists.”
“We believe the EC will act accordingly and carry out its constitutional duties,” the BNP leader said.
Admitting of receiving the BNP’s list, Commissioner Chowdhury said, “We will verify whether anyone has been arrested without charges.”
The EC asked the police not to make any arrest without warrant, the Commissioner claimed.
“We have asked BNP to give a list of its polling agent, which will be provided to the police to make sure that they face no harassment,’ said Chowdhury.