EC: No chance of violence during Upazila Parishad polls

The Election Commission (EC) has said it does not see any threat of violence centring the upcoming Upazila Parishad polls.

Responding to a question from journalists, the Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said that according to the reports of intelligence agencies, there will be no violence this year and the polls will be competitive. 

Many are participating without their party symbols. Additionally, multiple candidates from a single party have opted to boycott the election, yet some of their supporters are still actively participating in the polls.

He mentioned that the deployment of law enforcement personnel, including Border Guard Bangladesh, will exceed that of the national election for the upcoming upazila polls.

Mentioning that any citizen can legally participate in the election, the Election Commission secretary said the Awami League has forbidden many family members of their public representatives from participating in the polls.

“It's not a law, it's a party decision. Legally, any citizen can be a candidate,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has decided to postpone the Upazila Parishad elections in Thanchi, Rowangchhari, and Ruma upazilas of Bandarban due to ongoing joint law enforcement operations.

The commission will reschedule the elections for these three upazilas at a more convenient time.

The original schedule had Rowangchhari and Thanchi upazilas slated for voting on May 8, with Ruma scheduled for May 21.

The Upazila Parishad elections will proceed in phases, with 150 and 160 upazilas expected to vote in the first and second phases respectively. Phase three, involving 112 upazilas, is scheduled for May 29, followed by the fourth phase on June 5.