Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday asked divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), and other officials of the field administration to ensure free and fair upazila parishad elections, creating a safe environment for voters.

“No election-related violence will be tolerated…Arrangements should be made so that people can vote safely and return home,” he said while addressing a programme at the Election Commission Secretariat auditorium in Dhaka.

The CEC said the democracy established through the 7 January election will be undermined if violence takes place in upazila parishad polls.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has announced schedules for the sixth upazila parishad elections and the first phase will be held in 152 upazilas on 8 May.