Security tightened as CCC goes to polls today

Law enforcement agencies have taken tight security measures to ensure peaceful holding of Cumilla City Corporation  (CCC) polls, said superintendent of Cumilla Police Farooq Ahmed on Tuesday.

The whole city has been brought under security blanket, he said while speaking at a press briefing on law and order situation ahead of the polls at Language Movement Hero Drirendanath Datta Stadium.

The law enforcement agencies have done whatever is needed to ensure security and at least 75 check-posts were installed in the city, he said. Besides, 27 magistrates in 27 wards of the city and 3,608 members of law enforcement agencies have already in the field to maintain law and order, he added.

EVMs delivered

The election commission has sent voting materials to the centres on Tuesday morning. All voting materials, including electronic voting machines (EVMs) machines, were sent to 640 booths in 105 centres from Cumilla District School Auditorium. An additional 320 EVMs have been sent in case of any malfunction.

A total of 2,560 officials are working for the polls. Among them, 640 are presiding officers, 1,280 are polling officers and 640 are assistant polling officers. They have started working since receiving the EVMs.

Returning Officer Md Shahedunnabi Chowdhury supervised the distribution of the voting instruments.

“Each centre has adequate security measures including CCTV cameras. So, we hope to hold the election free, fair and peaceful with the cooperation of all,” he said.

A total of 2,29,920 voters will exercise their voting right through EVM in 105 centres from 8am to 4pm, he added.

Cumilla City Corporation election will be held on Wednesday using EVMs at all polling stations. Five candidates will contest in the election. It will be the third election of the Cumilla City Corporation after its formation in 2011.

The last Cumilla city election was held on Mar 30, 2017. BNP leader Monirul Haque Sakku was elected mayor for the second term in the polls.