Army deployment in the Naryanganj city polls did not go ahead due to a 'misunderstanding', although the Election Commission had asked for it.
Chief election commissioner A T M Shamsul Huda on Tuesday referred to a letter from the Armed Forces Division he had received on Sunday over two weeks after the commission had asked for an explanation.
The commission had written a letter on Nov 3 asking why there was no military despite its request.
A newly formed city corporation, Narayanganj, went to the polls on Oct 30.
Huda quoted the letter, which explained the matter, saying, "There was a misunderstanding between the government and the commission."
"Army deployment was not possible as the letter [seeking deployment] had been issued without any discussion with the ministry and since the defence minister was abroad," Huda told
"There has to be same formalities before seeking army deployment," he added.
This is the first time the government has explained reasons for not deploying army as sought by the commission.
So far, the government failed to provide army in one municipal election and two by-elections.
The EC had sought army for Narayanganj polls following demands of Awami League's rebel candidate Selina Hayat Ivy and BNP-backed Taimur Alam Khandaker.
Taimur announced boycott of the election following a decision taken by chairperson Khaleda Zia protesting the non-deployment of army.
The commission and the government were criticised by several quarters over the issue.
On the voting day, Huda said they would sit with the government to discuss the matter.
On Tuesday, he said there had also been EC's 'weaknesses' in the non-deployment of army.
"Meetings with law enforcers takes place before elections. The army is called in the meetings. They usually submit their own observation. But nothing was done this time. Even the home ministry could not say anything about it," he added.
He also said prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also the defence minister, had been in Australia and the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division had been in Saudi Arabia during the election.
Returning from Australia, Hasina had said, "The commission sought army at such a time when we were busy abroad."
'CONSTITUTION WAS NOT VIOLATED'
Asked whether the government violated the constitution by not fulfilling EC's demand, Huda said, "I don't think so."
Violating the charter is not so easy, he said adding, "It depends on many things."
BNP said the government violated the constitution by not deploying army in the election, a claim the prime minister had denied.
Two days before the voting, Huda had said the government is bound to give army in line with the constitution.
Chief election commissioner A T M Shamsul Huda on Tuesday referred to a letter from the Armed Forces Division he had received on Sunday over two weeks after the commission had asked for an explanation.
The commission had written a letter on Nov 3 asking why there was no military despite its request.
A newly formed city corporation, Narayanganj, went to the polls on Oct 30.
Huda quoted the letter, which explained the matter, saying, "There was a misunderstanding between the government and the commission."
"Army deployment was not possible as the letter [seeking deployment] had been issued without any discussion with the ministry and since the defence minister was abroad," Huda told
"There has to be same formalities before seeking army deployment," he added.
This is the first time the government has explained reasons for not deploying army as sought by the commission.
So far, the government failed to provide army in one municipal election and two by-elections.
The EC had sought army for Narayanganj polls following demands of Awami League's rebel candidate Selina Hayat Ivy and BNP-backed Taimur Alam Khandaker.
Taimur announced boycott of the election following a decision taken by chairperson Khaleda Zia protesting the non-deployment of army.
The commission and the government were criticised by several quarters over the issue.
On the voting day, Huda said they would sit with the government to discuss the matter.
On Tuesday, he said there had also been EC's 'weaknesses' in the non-deployment of army.
"Meetings with law enforcers takes place before elections. The army is called in the meetings. They usually submit their own observation. But nothing was done this time. Even the home ministry could not say anything about it," he added.
He also said prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also the defence minister, had been in Australia and the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division had been in Saudi Arabia during the election.
Returning from Australia, Hasina had said, "The commission sought army at such a time when we were busy abroad."
'CONSTITUTION WAS NOT VIOLATED'
Asked whether the government violated the constitution by not fulfilling EC's demand, Huda said, "I don't think so."
Violating the charter is not so easy, he said adding, "It depends on many things."
BNP said the government violated the constitution by not deploying army in the election, a claim the prime minister had denied.
Two days before the voting, Huda had said the government is bound to give army in line with the constitution.
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