MUNICIPAL POLLS 2015
86pc Ctg polling centres ‘risky’
SHAMSUDDIN ILLIUS, Ctg
Publication Date: 21 December 2015
Media: The Independent
Original Link :86pc Ctg polling centres ‘risky’
E-paper Link: 86pc Ctg polling centres ‘risky’
At least 86 per cent of polling centres in Chittagong for the municipality polls slated for December 30 have been identified as ‘risky’ by a report prepared by intelligence agencies. This has been confirmed by Chittagong district police.
This amounts to 114 polling centres out of a total of 133 in 10 municipality areas of the district.
Law enforcers also said that all polling centres of Baryearhat, Mirsarai, Raozan and Chandanish municipalities have been declared risky.
There are nine polling centres under Mirsarai, nine under Baryearhat, 19 under Raozan and 16 under Chandanish municipalities.
Police divided all poling centres into two categories—‘general’ and ‘important’—on the basis of three criteria.
They are: any past record of violence in a centre, including snatching of the ballot box; the possibility of candidates exerting their influence over a centre; and the proximity of a candidate’s residence to polling centres or polling centres in remote areas.
The ‘important’ centres are being considered risky. As many as 114 polling centres are being considered ‘important’ against 19 of the ‘general’ centres.
Following the precedent of the Chittagong City Corporation election held on April 28 this year, law enforcement agencies identified the risky centres in advance to tighten security around them.
“This list has been prepared as per a report prepared by intelligence agencies. Additional police will be deployed in the important centres,” said Kazi Abdul Aowal, additional superintendent of police (Special Branch) of Chittagong district.
As many as 14 polling centres out of 15 in Sandwip, 11 out of 13 in Sitakunda, eight out of 11 in Rangunia, 14 out of 18 in Patiya, eight out of 12 in Satkania and six out of 11 in Banshkhali have been declared risky.
Police said there four security rings will be established around every ‘risky’ centre to ensure peaceful, free and fair voting.
Regular police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and an additional team of police personnel will also be deployed to control the law and order situation in such centres during the polls.
Law enforcers also said that all polling centres of Baryearhat, Mirsarai, Raozan and Chandanish municipalities have been declared risky.
There are nine polling centres under Mirsarai, nine under Baryearhat, 19 under Raozan and 16 under Chandanish municipalities.
Police divided all poling centres into two categories—‘general’ and ‘important’—on the basis of three criteria.
They are: any past record of violence in a centre, including snatching of the ballot box; the possibility of candidates exerting their influence over a centre; and the proximity of a candidate’s residence to polling centres or polling centres in remote areas.
The ‘important’ centres are being considered risky. As many as 114 polling centres are being considered ‘important’ against 19 of the ‘general’ centres.
Following the precedent of the Chittagong City Corporation election held on April 28 this year, law enforcement agencies identified the risky centres in advance to tighten security around them.
“This list has been prepared as per a report prepared by intelligence agencies. Additional police will be deployed in the important centres,” said Kazi Abdul Aowal, additional superintendent of police (Special Branch) of Chittagong district.
As many as 14 polling centres out of 15 in Sandwip, 11 out of 13 in Sitakunda, eight out of 11 in Rangunia, 14 out of 18 in Patiya, eight out of 12 in Satkania and six out of 11 in Banshkhali have been declared risky.
Police said there four security rings will be established around every ‘risky’ centre to ensure peaceful, free and fair voting.
Regular police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and an additional team of police personnel will also be deployed to control the law and order situation in such centres during the polls.
