Acting Chief Election Commissioner Abdul Mobarak yesterday expressed his satisfaction over holding “peaceful” elections to 91 upazilas across the country.
Mobarak, however, reluctantly admitted that there were some stray incidents of violence on the day of the polls.
He said the commission had taken all the allegations into cognisance and directed the authorities concerned to take action immediately against those involved in the violence.
“There were some isolated incidents during elections. These are undesirable. We have suspended elections in 32 polling centres in 11 upazilas. Those who were responsible will not be spared,” Mobarak told a press conference at the Election Commission’s media centre after the polls ended.
Replying to a query he said: “The irresistible yearning to be a winner at any cost is responsible for the violence.”
About vote recounting, he said the commission has no authority to do so but the aggrieved candidates can apply to the Election Tribunal.
When asked about vote rigging, Mobarak said the commission had taken the matter under consideration.
“If anyone has the evidence to prove it, the aggrieved candidates can bring the matter to the notice of the Election Tribunal within a month after publishing the gazette notification,” he also said.
“However, the allegation should be authentic.”
Asked about the police attacks on the election officials in some upazilas, the acting CEC said: “Legal action will be taken against the responsible law enforcing personnel. None will be spared.”
An incident of police assault on an assistant returning officer was reported in Gozaria. The Assistant Sub-Inspector of Louhajong police station Emdad beat the assistant returning officer of Gozaria upazila. Emdad also assaulted the upazila nirbahi officer of the same upazila.
The commission has already directed the home ministry to take legal action against the police official, assistant secretary Ashfakur Rahman said.
Referring to some media reports on the army’s authority, he said: “Some reports were misleading regarding whether the army was given magistracy power. It is not correct. They have been directed to follow the Section 131 of the CrPC.”
“If any incidents of violence erupt the army will not remain silent; rather they will control the situation and arrest the troublemakers and hand them over to magistrate for further action,” he further said.
About the use of bullets during ballot box snatching, he said that police would fire bullets below the knee, not above it. It will only injure the troublemakers. The bullets would be used to stop people from getting involved in violence.
Polls were suspended in eight centres in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila, and five centres in Dumki Upazila, eight centres in Gozaria Upazila of Munshiganj, three centres in Begumganj Upazila of Noakhali, two in Barura Upazila in Comilla, one each in Dhamrai Upazila of Dhaka, Jibonnagar of Chuadanga, Rangonia and Sathkania of Chittagong, Kanaighat of Sylhet and Kutubdia of Cox’s Bazaar.
