The Election Commission yesterday sent a letter to the Armed Forces Division (AFD), formally asking to deploy troops for maintaining law and order surrounding the 10th parliamentary elections slated for January 5.
The letter, signed by the EC’s Joint Secretary Jesmin Tuli, has been sent to the principal staff officer of the AFD, stating that as per article 126 of the constitution, the commission has decided to deploy army – along with law enforcement agencies – for holding the election in free, fair and peaceful manner.
The letter also stated that at a meeting with law enforcement agencies on December 20, the EC had decided to deploy army from December 26 to January 9.
The army would assist the civil administration regarding the election-related works, as per the code of criminal procedure directed by executive magistrates, the letter stated.
The army personnel would be deployed at the nodal points of every district/upazila/metropolitan area and other areas as striking force. Coordinated by the returning officer, the army would be deployed at upazila/thana levels as striking force.
The letter also stated that the army personnel would be deployed at important roads and highways to maintain law and order, while also assisting the commission in election-related works, if needed.
The copies of the letter were also sent to the concerned authorities.
About army deployment, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday told reporters that the commission would not deploy army in five districts where candidates of all constituencies were set to be elected uncontested.