Bangla prepares for polls, Oppn for strike

DHAKA, Feb 22: As the opposition parties in Bangladesh gear up to enforce a three-day shut down beginning tomorrow to disrupt the nation-...

DHAKA, Feb 22: As the opposition parties in Bangladesh gear up to enforce a three-day shut down beginning tomorrow to disrupt the nation-wide municipal polls, the independent Election Commission started sending troops and security forces to sensitive areas to beef up security for the February 23-25 elections.

An Election Commission spokesman said that troops have already been positioned in various sensitive municipalities going to polls tomorrow.Municipalities in 20 districts spread over in five divisions 8212; Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka, Barisal and Sylhet 8212; are going to polls tomorrow. The sources said that security personnel would guard nearly 2,100 polling centres in 137 out of the 182 municipalities in the country.

A total of 8119 candidates are in the fray. Of them, 416 are contesting for the post of chairman of the municipalities, and 5925 for the commissioners. 1678 female candidates are also vying for the posts of women commissioners.

Holding of polls in the 137 municipalities is mandatory by March19 following an order of the high court. 28 municipalities are not going to polls due to court injunctions, seven for not expiry of the term while 10 for dispute over delimitation of the wards.

Analysts said that in the light of the rejection of election schedule by the opposition combine the country appears to be heading for a major confrontation between the Ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the opposition alliance headed by BNP of former premier Begum Khaleda Zia.

Analysts opined tomorrow8217;s strike which would be third by the opposition in 1999 was part of an opposition move to force an early general elections. The next general elections is not due until 2001.

The mainstream opposition parties said they would resist the polls scheduled unless the chief election commissioner Abu Hena resigned and replaced before the vote.

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Meanwhile, a ruling Awami League stalwart and the party8217;s presidium member Amir Hossain Amu ruling out the possibility of any last-minute rapprochement with theopposition said 8220;elections will take place as scheduled.8221;