Irregularities in KCC polls: EC starts investigation

Staff Correspondent, Khulna: The probe committee formed by the Election Commission (EC) has started investigation into irregularities and reasons behind suspension of voting at three polling stations in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) polls.

The three-member committee talked several times to people who were concerned to the three polling stations since Tuesday morning.

The investigation activities were held at the office of returning officer and regional election officer at Boyra.

Chief of the probe body Khandaker Mizanur Rahman, also joint secretary of the EC secretariat, said the committee will submit a report to the EC after their investigation ends.

Two other members of the committee Forhad Hossain, deputy secretary of the EC secretariat, and Shah Alam, senior assistant secretary of the EC secretariat, were present during the investigation.

Yunus Ali, returning officer of the KCC election, said voting in the three polling stations will be held on May 30. For this, according to the directive of the EC Secretariat, people have already been informed about the re-election by a public declaration.

Awami League mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the KCC polls, defeating his nearest contender Nazrul Islam Monju of the BNP.

But the election was marred by irregularities such as showdown by AL men in and around polling stations, stuffing ballot boxes and driving out polling agents of rival candidates.

In the KCC polls, several polling centres saw unrealistic turnouts in between 80 to 99.94 percent while the overall turnout was less than 63 percent.

 

risingbd/Khulna/May 22, 2018/Muhammad Nuruzzaman/A K Azad