Mobile Banking Monitoring to Curb Electoral Bribery in 13th Parliamentary Polls
Election Commissioner (EC) Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah has said that mobile banking transactions will be brought under close monitoring to prevent electoral briberyin the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
He made the remarks on Monday, January 26, during an exchange meeting with the law enforcement cell and the vigilance and observation teams at the conference room of the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Addressing the meeting, EC Sanaullah said, “To prevent electoral bribery, mobile banking activities will be monitored in every constituency during this election. Assistant returning officers have been instructed to take immediate action if abnormal transactions are detected at mobile banking agent points during specific time frames starting from February 8.”
He further stated, “There will be no pressure from the government in conducting the election. The polls must be managed based on three fundamental principles—transparency, neutrality, and firmness. Six committees of the Election Commission are working at the field level, and they have been empowered to carry out investigations and judicial functions.”
Referring to the referendum aspect of the election, the Election Commissioner said voters must be encouraged to participate actively. “Through ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes in the referendum, voters will exercise their choice in shaping the future of Bangladesh,” he added.
The meeting, organized by the district administration, was chaired by Chandpur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Nazmul Islam Sarker. Officials from various departments involved in election duties were also present.
Addressing the officials, the Election Commissioner said that around 10 magistrates and judicial magistrates would be deployed in each electoral area. These teams will operate in three phases—two teams are already working in the field, while another team will be active for four days during the election period.
He emphasized that officials responsible for election duties must uphold transparency, neutrality, and firmness at all times. “Nothing can be concealed except in absolute necessity. If there is any lack of capacity, it must be stated clearly. There will be no one-sided instructions from either the government or the Election Commission,” he said.
The EC also noted that pens will not be allowed at polling centers, as votes could be deliberately invalidated. Instead, pencils will be used for voting. Polling officials will be trained and instructed accordingly.
Alongside law enforcement agencies, members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will assist the Election Commission during the polls. The EC said formal communication in this regard would be issued shortly.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Ershad Uddin moderated the meeting, while District Election Officer Ziaur Rahman Khalifa also spoke on the occasion.
During the meeting, electoral data from Chandpur’s five parliamentary constituencies were presented. According to the information, Chandpur ranks fifth in terms of the number of expatriate voters, with a total of 46,436 registered postal voters across its five constituencies.
DBTech/DPN/EK/OR
