The Election Commission and intelligence agencies have expressed fears that vested interest groups may use garment factory workers to instigate violence during the upcoming Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) polls.
The EC has asked law enforcement agencies to give special attention to the GCC area so that nobody can create unrest.
Law enforcers have also been asked to start special combing operations in Gazipur to round up criminals and extortionists, in a bid to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the elections.
Yesterday, the commission held a meeting with the chiefs and high officials of various law enforcement agencies, about security arrangements during the GCC polls and Kishoreganj-4 by-elections.
High officials of the home ministry, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion, police, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Coast Guard, Ansar, Village Defence Party (VDP) and the returning officers, were present at the meeting, held at the EC Secretariat.
The maiden GCC polls are scheduled for July 6 while the Kishoreganj by-polls will be held on July 3.
Intelligence officials warned the EC that any of the parties could create unrest at the expense of the garment workers, sources said.
Sources said the commission had decided to hold separate meetings with various workers’ organisations and owners’ associations.
After the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told reporters that they were still satisfied with the overall environment heading into the GCC polls.
Hoping that the candidates and voters would abide by the electoral codes of conduct, the CEC warned that stern action would be taken against anyone involved in partisan campaigning during the non-partisan election.
Kazi Rakibuddin said campaigning by central leaders of political parties, in favour of candidates has become a trend and has been difficult to stop.
He, however, assured that they had not been allowing GCC poll aspirants to use photographs of national leaders in posters and banners, and claim that they are backed by certain parties.
He said executive magistrates were already active in poll areas to ensure there is no violation of electoral laws.
Along with law enforcers, dog squads and bomb disposal units will help maintain law and order during the GCC polls, the CEC said.
The EC boss said they had asked law enforcers to control vehicular movement in the densely populated industrial area of Gazipur on poll day.
The CEC also said Coast Guard members will maintain security during the Kishoreganj by-polls, because it is a low-lying area, which largely remains underwater during the rainy season.