Good electoral environment in Thakurgaon, no need to deploy Army: EC

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said there is no need to deploy the Army for the upcoming by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, citing a favourable electoral environment and increased deployment of law enforcement personnel.
Three times more law enforcement personnel have been deployed for the by-election than during the national election, he said, adding that CCTV cameras would be installed at polling stations and adequate security personnel would be on duty to ensure fair and peaceful voting.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the law enforcement cell, vigilance and observation teams, and other concerned officials at the Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner's office in the morning.
At the meeting, the election commissioner directed law enforcement agencies and relevant officials to take necessary preparations to ensure a free, fair and impartial election.
The meeting also discussed maintaining law and order, enforcing the electoral code of conduct, ensuring voters' unhindered access to polling stations, and strengthening coordination among the agencies concerned.
Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed chaired the meeting, while Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque presided over it.
The Thakurgaon-1 seat fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, former secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was elected president. The by-election is scheduled to be held on 29 October.