EC orders appointment of executive magistrates

Staff Correspondent: The Election Commission (EC) has directed the Public Administration Ministry to appoint an adequate number of executive magistrates at the field level.

The EC took the move to check the violation of the election code of conduct in the 11th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on December 30 next.

A letter signed by EC's Joint Secretary Farhad Ahammad Khan was sent to the ministry in this regard yesterday, according to a source at the EC on Monday.

The EC asked the ministry to appoint one executive magistrate for every upazila, one for three-four wards of city corporations, one-two magistrates for each district sadar municipality and one magistrate for three-four upazilas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

The Commission asked the ministry to keep the magistrates engaged in the election duty till the next day of election (December 31).

The EC also called for engaging assistant commissioners (Land) in the election duty as executive magistrates alongside assistant returning officials (Upazila Nirbahi Officers).

In the absence of assistant commissioner (Land) in any upazila, the Commission asked to appoint admin cadre officials from district and divisional or other offices as executive magistrates in the areas.

Magistrates can take action against any candidates or supporters in the case of violating the election code of conduct.


risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 12, 2018/Hasibul/AI