Election Commissioner (EC) Rashida Sultana has said that there is a possibility to deploy the army in the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary elections.
She said: "There is an example of deploying the army to conduct free and peaceful elections in the country. As the army was deployed in the previous national elections, there is a possibility of army deployment this time too. We are thinking of deploying the army. However, no final decision has been made in this regard yet. The final decision will be taken according to the situation.”
She said these things to the journalists after a meeting with the law enforcement officers and election officials on duty in Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, and Chapainawabganj districts on Tuesday.
The meeting was organized by the Election Commission at the Rajshahi District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium. It was presided over by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir. Among others present were Rajshahi Range DIG Md Anisur Rahman, Rajshahi Police Commissioner Biplab Bijoy Talukder, Deputy Commissioner Shameem Ahmed, and Returning and Assistant Returning Officers of Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Chapainawabganj districts.
Stating that the schedule will be changed if the BNP participates in the elections, Rashida Sultana said: “BNP can still come to the elections if they want. But they should come to the election within the given time. We will reconsider the schedule if the BNP comes to the election.”
Informing the candidates of the responsibility of bringing voters to the polling stations, the Election Commissioner said: "We will definitely take strict action if anyone violates the code of conduct during the election. We want the election to be free, fair, and impartial. The law enforcement department of the Rajshahi region has assured me to deliver a fair election. We have given various directions to the responsible officials to conduct a fair and beautiful election. We are determined to present a beautiful election.”
Rashida Sultana said: “If the current MPs are independent candidates, they will have to resign from the position of parliamentarians, but if they are party candidates, they have no need to resign.”