Most mayor candidates for army deployment

The mayoral candidates came up with demand while holding a discussion with Election Commissioner Jabed Ali. Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Rabbi Miah was presiding over the meeting. The meeting was held at conference room of the district administration building yesterday morning. The seven mayor aspirants – Selina Hayat Ivy with Awami League ticket, BNP-blessed Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Mahbubur Rahman Imail of Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party, Kamal Pradhan of Liberal Democratic Party, Mufti Masum Billah of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Rashed Ferdous of Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Ezharul Islam of Islami Oikya Jote – took part in the meeting. BNP-backed mayoral candidate Shakhwat Hossain said: “Voters could not cast their votes in previous national election. I hope that the incumbent Election Commission will try to improve their image. I think there is no level-playing-field for all mayoral candidates of the NCC.” He said the law enforcers should conduct drive to seize illegal arms, otherwise, voters would not dare to go to polling centres to cast their votes.  He demanded deployment of army for holding free and fair elections. He also mentioned that 53 polling centres out of 174 were in vulnerable state. Awami League-backed candidate Ivy said: “I do not want to enjoy any type of illegal facilities, as a ruling party candidate. If there any illegal arms in city, my life will be at more risk than my competitor Shakhwat. I will definitely follow electoral rules and regulations.” Mahbubur Rahman Imail of Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party alleged that law enforcers were working to make ruling party candidate winner. He also demanded deployment of army. “The Election Commission should install CCTV cameras at every polling station to prevent rigging,” he said. Kamal Pradhan of Liberal Democratic Party said Awami-League candidate Ivy held meeting blocking road for two hours which was clear violation of electoral code of conduct. Mufti Masum Billah of Islami Andolan Bangladesh said: “I am urging the authorities concerned to take measures to deploy army in NCC area to avoid any type of untoward incident.” Ezharul Islam of Islami Oikya Jote said: “I want an atmosphere where everyone will cast vote without fear.” Rashed Ferdous of the Bangladesh Kalyan Party said: “I want security from my home to polling centre on the election day.”