EC directs local admin to ensure 'fair and beautiful' UP election

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the field level workers to take necessary steps to make the Union Parishad (UP) elections smooth and fair.

The directives were given during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Friday (November 19).

The EC has urged the field officials to be more vigilant in maintaining law and order in the Union UP elections amid breaches of code of conduct and disturbances.

In the first two phases, voting has already been completed in 1,200 UPs. There has been widespread violence and at least three dozen deaths. The third phase will be held on November 29 and the fourth phase on December 23. The commission is preparing to give the schedule of another step soon.

The meeting, which lasted for about two hours with the field officials, gave instructions to take all necessary steps to make the election 'fair and beautiful'.

Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said instructions have been given to the officials to be more active in the forthcoming elections and to keep a close watch on those involved in maintaining law and order. They have also been reminded of the instructions that were given earlier.

"We can't go to all the departments at this time," he added. So I wanted to say the words that we have been saying, sit down with them and say them face to face.

Divisional commissioners came to Dhaka on Thursday (November 18) to attend a meeting of the administration at the secretariat. After learning about the matter, the commission called them to the EC and held a meeting on Friday.