In order to aid the civil power to maintain law and order ahead of the January 5 Parliamentary poll, members of the armed forces have been deployed in 57 districts of the country.
The members of the armed forces have started their duties in the districts, even in the upazilas, as per the requirements of the deputy commissioners (DCs) of the respective districts in order to ensure that the upcoming general poll is held in a peaceful manner, according to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). The soldiers have been drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force. They will remain on duty till January 9, the release added.
As planned by the Election Commission (EC), a team of 15 members of the armed forces will be deployed at each polling centre outside the metropolitan areas, a team of 16 members at each vulnerable centre outside metropolitan areas, a team of 17 members at each centre in metropolitan areas, and a team of 18 members at each vulnerable centre in metropolitan areas. The members of the forces will do their duty in accordance with Sections 130 and 131 of the Criminal Procedures Act and the regulations and power provided by Article 7 and 10 of Instructions Regarding ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ issued by the defence ministry, according to the plan chalked out by the EC.
The Army will take up positions as the strike force at nodal points (convenient places for movement) in each district, upazila and metropolitan area. The members of the armed forces will stay in different areas by setting up their own camps. An executive magistrate will accompany each team of the Army during election duty.
The Armed Forces Division (AFD) has already drawn up a detailed plan on the deployment of forces and their working order on receiving a letter on Sunday from the Election Commission, according to the AFD official. The troops, which are now carrying out winter exercises, will be pressed into election duty as a strike force from December 26.
-With The Independent input
