The government has instructed law enforcement agencies at the local level to beef up security for the minority people during the fourth phase of the upazila parishad elections scheduled to be held today.
Based on reports submitted by intelligence agencies, the authorities have made the instructions.
The Ministry of Homer has sent letters to all the secretaries to ensure security to the minority communities both during and after the upazila elections scheduled to end on March 31.
“Intimidating minority voters has become a practice in our election culture. So, we have sent letters to our forces and the deputy commissioners asking them to ensure security of all minority communities,” Home Secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune.
He said the Home Ministry was yet to receive allegation of attacks on minority people from any local department of the government.
At a press conference held yesterday, Jotindra Nath, chairman candidate for Agoiljhara, Barisal, alleged that one of his contenders had tried to abduct him and had intimidated the minority voters in his area on Thursday.
The fourth phase of the local government elections is going to be held today in 91 upazilas.
Earlier, the Election Commission sent letters to all deputy commissioners, police and returning officers across the country to ensure security to the minority people.
Before every phase of the upazila elections, the intelligence agencies send reports on communities and polling centres that are marked as vulnerable for probable occurrence of violence there, said the home ministry officials.
The intelligence agencies also recommend measures to thwart probable violence in order to hold the elections in a peaceful manner.
“We have forwarded the intelligence reports to the concerned government departments for taking up necessary measures,” a deputy secretary of the Home Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune.
The first phase of elections was held on February 19 in 95 upazilas while the second phase and third phase were held on February 27 and March 15 respectively.
Over last three phases, polls have been held for a total of 291 upazilas.
According to the Election Commission, by March 31, the upazila elections will be held for a total of 465 upazilas.
