The Election Commission on Monday decided that the army will not be deployed during the parliamentary by-elections in Habiganj-1 and Brahmanbaria-3 as well as 13 municipal polls slated for January 27.
After a nearly two hour-meeting with chiefs of different law enforcing agencies at the EC secretariat in the afternoon, Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain told reporters that since army will not be deployed, the number of law enforcing agencies including police, RAB, BGB and Coast Guard will be increased.
Earlier, the Election Commission wrote to the Army Headquarters seeking army personnel for the by-elections and the remaining municipal polls.
During the meeting, when Sohul Hossain asked a representative from the Army Headquarters about their decision, the army representative revealed that the matter is under consideration.
Then the Election Commission decided to hold both the by-elections and municipal polls without the deployment of army.
When a reporter asked about the EC's letter to the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Sohul Hossain said: "the letter is still there (AHQ)."
Meeting sources said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain blasted the representatives of the law enforcing agencies for their inactions in the wake of hijacking ballot boxes and beating up of presiding officers at some centres during the recent municipal elections.
The Home Secretary, the IGP and others reportedly admitted their mistakes.Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat called for coordination among the law enforcing agencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
After a nearly two hour-meeting with chiefs of different law enforcing agencies at the EC secretariat in the afternoon, Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain told reporters that since army will not be deployed, the number of law enforcing agencies including police, RAB, BGB and Coast Guard will be increased.
Earlier, the Election Commission wrote to the Army Headquarters seeking army personnel for the by-elections and the remaining municipal polls.
During the meeting, when Sohul Hossain asked a representative from the Army Headquarters about their decision, the army representative revealed that the matter is under consideration.
Then the Election Commission decided to hold both the by-elections and municipal polls without the deployment of army.
When a reporter asked about the EC's letter to the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Sohul Hossain said: "the letter is still there (AHQ)."
Meeting sources said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain blasted the representatives of the law enforcing agencies for their inactions in the wake of hijacking ballot boxes and beating up of presiding officers at some centres during the recent municipal elections.
The Home Secretary, the IGP and others reportedly admitted their mistakes.Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat called for coordination among the law enforcing agencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.