DHAKA: Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the Election Commission doesn’t not have jurisdiction to deploy troops during polls.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, made the remarks after a sub-committee meeting on party’s international relations in Engineering Institute auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday (April 8).

Quader said law enforcing agencies will follow EC’s command during polls but the army will be under the command of Defence Ministry. So it is not possible for EC to deploy army even if it wants to. 

Earlier in the day, CEC KM Nurul Huda said he believes army should be deployed during the upcoming general elections. 

Quader said EC can only request the government in this issue. The government can deploy troops if considers necessary. It is written in the constitution and no one can make a move going out of the constitution.

The opposition BNP has been demanding to deploy army with magistracy power during the general polls. Quader said the army will work as a striking force during the polls but vesting them with magistracy power will depend on the situation.

BDST: 1955 HRS, APR 8, 2018
AP/SMS