All set to hold general election on Sunday

The Election Commission (EC) has taken all preparations to hold the 11th parliamentary election tomorrow in a free, fair and peaceful manner across the country.

“A huge number of candidates are taking part in this election…and the voters will cast their votes in a free, fair and festive atmosphere,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda told newsmen on Friday.

He said the law enforcement agencies will ensure overall security of voters to exercise their franchise to choose their desired candidates.

“The election will be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The voting will continue from 8 am to 4 pm without any break,” Huda said.

EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said the EC has already sent the ballot papers and other polling materials, including stamp pads, official seals, marking seals, to every district.

“A total of 10, 42, 38,677 voters, including 5, 25, 72,365 male and 5,16,66,312 female, are being expected to cast their votes,” he added.

He said a total of 4,0183 presiding officers, 20, 7,312 assistant presiding officers and 4,14,624 polling officers have been appointed for conducting the election.

Helal Uddin said about 1,328 executive magistrates will also be deployed during the polls while there are also 640 judicial magistrates working in 122 electoral inquiry committees.

In Faridpur, all necessary measures have already been completed to hold the election peacefully.

“A pleasant environment is prevailing in the district to hold the election peacefully,” Returning Officer and also the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ommey Salma Tanzia said.

She added army, BGB, police, RAB and others law enforcement agencies have been deployed here to avoid any untoward situation.

A total of 14, 22,035 voters are expected to cast their votes in 649 centres of four constituencies in the district while some 2,998 booths have been set up, District Election Officer Md Alauddin said.

In Manikganj, all necessary preparation has been completed to hold a fair, transparent, participatory and credible election on December, 30 where voters will cast their votes in three constituencies.

There was no complaint of any irregularity in the district so far, said SM Ferdous, Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner.

District Election Officer Kazi Istafizul Huq said all necessary materials for election were sent to the all Assistant Returning Officers in the district.

The Election Commission (EC) has completed all the necessary preparations for peaceful the election in Rajshahi region.

“We are very much prepared and hopeful for holding the election in free, fair and peaceful manner,” said SM Abdul Kader, Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi.

“Stern action will be taken against the people who are found to be involved in making the elections questionable,” he said, adding transparent ballot boxes, ballot papers and other documents were distributed among the polling officials today.

There are six constituencies having 19,42,562 voters in Rajshahi district. A total of 25 candidates are vying for all the constituencies.

A total of sixteen candidates are competing for four constituencies in Natore district having 13,03,877 voters including 6,50,370 females while there are 29 candidates in six constituencies of Naogaon district having 20,02,736 voters. A total of 30 candidates are contesting for three constituencies in Chapainawabganj district having 11,75,303 voters.

Returning officers said a five-tier security measures have been arranged to make the election free, fair and credible.

Chapainawabganj correspondent reports: All preparations have been taken to hold the peaceful election here as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers have started receiving election materials from the offices of the assistant returning officers.

Returning officer and deputy commissioner of Chapainawabganj AZM Nurul Hoque said election would be neutral, peaceful, free and fair and all voters are asked to come to the polling centres to cast their votes.

In Jamalpur, All formalities have already completed to hold the parliamentary election in the five constituencies of the district tomorrow.

District Election Officer Md Mukhlesur Rahman said all preparations have already been completed to hold the election in a peaceful atmosphere tomorrow as one battalion Army and eight platoon of BGB have been working in the district since December 24.

The authorities concerned have already taken all-out preparation to hold the general election in a free and fair manner in six constituencies in Khulna.

Khulna Regional Election Officer Mujibur Rahman Sheikh said transparent ballot boxes, sealed ballot papers, EVM machines and other electoral materials were supplied to the respective constituencies in Khulna.

A total of 16,000 members of law enforcement agencies which consist of 39 platoons of Army, BGB, RAB, Coast Guard and Police have already been deployed in the six constituencies.

Rangamati correspondent reports: Tight security measures have been taken in the hilly district to hold the general election peacefully. About 10,000 people, including polling officials and members of law enforcing agencies, will be engaged in the election in Rangamati district.

“All election materials and polling officials were sent to all the voting centres located in hand-to-reach areas by helicopters on Thursday,” district returning officer and deputy commissioner of Rangamati AKM Mamunur Rashid told.

In Narayanganj, all preparations have been taken by the District Returning officer’s office to hold a participatory election in five constituencies of the district.

Fool proof security measures have been taken deploying 1,699 police, 400 army men, 450 BGB personnel while nine striking forces of police will work in 745 polling centres here.

“An election monitoring cell was set up in the collectorate office of Narayanganj to monitor the overall situation during the polls,” district returning officer Rabbi Mia told a press briefing today.

In Chattogram, all preparations have been taken to hold the general election peacefully. Members of law enforcement agencies are working in 15 constituencies while the members of Navy in Sandwip Island.

Our Barishal correspondent adds: The authorities concerned have already taken all-out preparation to hold a participatory election in six constituencies of the district.