Court stays voting in Kurigram-4
The Election Commission (EC) is all set to conduct polls in seven constituencies, where polling was put off following violence during the January 5 general election. The constituencies that will cast their votes on Thursday are Jessore-5, Laxmipur-1, Dinajpuir-4, Gaibandha-1, 3 and 4 and Bagura-7. According to the EC, voting was put off in eight constituencies on January 5. However, the election of Kurigram-4 was withheld as per a court order. As many as 14 candidates from 12 parties will be contesting today.
Chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed told the media yesterday that people will be able to cast their vote without fear. “We hope that the situation will not be as bad as that on January 5.”
The poll panel has also decided that extra law enforcing personnel will continue to be deployed in these areas till January 19 to curb post-election violence.
“We have increased the number of BGB patrolling teams in the seven seats to maintain law and order. We have also asked the Army to deploy its personnel in the upazillas and police stations. The Army personnel will coordinate with returning officers and they would assist regular law enforcers, if their cooperation is sought,” election commissioner MD Shahnewaz told The Independent.
-With The Independent input
