The decision of deployment of armed forces during the upcoming general election would be taken in the next meeting with the law enforcing agencies, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed said.
He made the statement while talking to journalists after holding a meeting with the top officials of law enforcing agencies around 1:30pm.
The meeting was held at 11am with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad in the chair. Chiefs and top officials of the law enforcement agencies participated in the meeting. Representatives from the armed forces were also present in the meeting.
Replying to a query, the CEC said: “The decision of deploying army during polls was not taken in the meeting as it was held without the returning officers.
The decision will be taken in the next meeting with the law enforcers,” he added. However, he did not confirm any specific date for the meeting.
While exchanging his views with journalists, the CEC emphasised on the dialogue among the major parties to arrange a fair polls.
The meeting was set to approve the decision on troops’ deployment and the EC had already contacted the government, asking for necessary number of troops, officials involved in the process told the Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday.
In the wake of the countrywide sporadic violence following the opposition’s rail, road and waterways blockade programme, the armed forces are likely to be deployed across the country soon to preclude further violence.
The commission proposed that the armed forces will aid the civil administration as per the Code of Criminal Procedure.
