The voters are concerned that Wednesday’s municipal polls might witness violence between supporters of partisan mayoral candidates as at least 86% polling centres under Chittagong district have been identified as risky.
According to a report prepared by intelligence agencies, as many as 114 polling centres out of total of 133 in 10 municipality areas of the district have been declared risky.
Law enforcers said that all polling centres of Baryarhat, Mirsarai, Raozan and Chandanaish municipalities in Chittagong district have been identified as risky.
There are nine polling centres under Mirsarai, nine under Baryarhat, 19 under Raozan and 16 under Chandanaish municipalities are risky.
Police divided all polling centres into two categories-‘general’ and ‘important’ on the basis of three criteria.
The criteria are-any past record of violence in a centre, including snatching of the ballot box; the possibility of candidates wielding 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.
Following the precedent of the Chittagong City Corporation elections held on April 28 this year, the law enforcers identified he risky centres in advance to step up security.
“The list has been prepared in accordance with a report prepared by the intelligence agencies. Additional police will be deployed in the important centres,” said Abdul Awal, Chittagong Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch).
As many as 14 polling centres out of 15 in Sandwip, 11 out of 13 in Sitakunda, 8 out of 11 in Rangunia, 14 out 18 in Patiya, 8 out of 12 in Sitakunda and 6 out of 11 in Banshkhali have been declared risky.
Police said that there will be a four-tier security around every ‘risky’ polling centre to ensure fair and peaceful voting. Regular police, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh and an additional team of the police personnel will also be deployed to control the law and order situation in such risky centres during the polls.
“One platoon of BGB personnel will remain deployed in every municipality. We have undertaken all preparations required for holding the polls in a peaceful manner,” said AKM Hafiz Akhter, Chittagong Superintendent of Police.
