In a bid to make the sixth upazila parishad elections free from the influence of lawmakers and ministers, the Election Commission (EC) has asked the local administration and police to adhere to their ideology and perform their duties without giving in to anyone’s illegal requests in fear of transfer.

If the higher authorities recommend transfer of any officer responsible for the election due to not listening to them, the commission will take a decision in this regard subject to the evidence after proper verification, said the sources.

The commission said it is normal to get transferred for a job. A transfer is more honourable than bowing down to corruption.

During a meeting with the divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) on Thursday, the commission also asked the administration and police to be vigilant about the spread of black money through mobile services such as bKash and Rocket during the election. The EC asked officials concerned to take necessary measures to stop such illegal transactions.

During the meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, the local administration and the police presented their demands to the EC for holding a free and fair election, according to sources present at the meeting.

Administration and police officials told the EC that many election officials like the presiding officer and assistant presiding officer serve as local leaders’ accomplices in influencing the polls. Due to working in the same upazila or police station, it is a challenge for the officials to ignore or go outside the directions of the local public representatives, especially the ministers and members of parliament (MPs).

If the officials do not listen to the powerful people, the sword of punishment comes down on them and the polling officers bear the brunt of the attack. Some of them also allegedly work in exchange of favours and bribes during the elections, said officials present at the meeting.

Therefore, the administration and police officials said, an election officer should not be appointed in his own upazila. Rather, such officials should be brought from the neighbouring upazilas so that they do not fear losing their jobs, transfer or punishment.

Appointing election officers in an area other than their native upazila will bar them from giving in to threats or lures of candidates or other powerful people, said officials concerned.

The police and administration officials also questioned the deployment of local members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party (VDP), saying that such people put in charge of the polling centres’ security are not free of biases. Therefore, such duties should be given to people from areas other than the polling centres’ locations.

The deputy commissioners also demanded extra expenses, security forces and vehicles to bring ballot papers to polling centres on the voting day.

The Kurigram DC called for increasing the number of magistrates and security personnel in remote areas during the elections.

The commission did not make any immediate decision regarding the field level officials’ recommendations, said sources.

According to sources present at the meeting, the EC carefully studied the administration officials’ statements and assured them of providing all necessary assistance to conduct the polls fearlessly.