Appointment of 2098 executive and 657 judicial magistrates in elections: EC

ফাইল ছবি

News Desk: The Election Commission (EC) has taken unprecedented administrative preparations to make the 13th National Parliament election and referendum free and impartial on February 12.

2098 Executive Magistrates and 657 Judicial Magistrates have been appointed simultaneously across the country to maintain law and order and suppress crime in the polling field. Already this large fleet of administrative officers have started discharging their professional duties in the constituencies. 

According to the Election Commission, 657 Judicial Magistrates have been assigned to each parliamentary constituency for prompt trial and summary judgment of election-related offences. They will be in the election field for a total of 5 days. This special duty which started from February 10 will continue till February 14. They will be under round-the-clock surveillance, especially on the two days before and after the polls and on the polling day. 

On the other hand, 1047 executive magistrates have been active at the field level since the announcement of the schedule to prevent violations of the code of conduct and maintain law and order. Besides this, 1,051 Executive Magistrates have been appointed to manage the striking force and mobile courts as per the demands of the returning officers. In all, 2098 executive magistrates are working in the election field. They will directly supervise security for a total of 7 days from February 8 to February 14.

The Magistrates concerned can issue sentences by conducting mobile courts immediately in case of any kind of disorder or illegal activities in the constituencies. They will strictly monitor incidents like blocking the use of mobile phones in secret rooms, occupying booths or obstructing voters, especially on polling days. A large number of these judicial and executive officers are now playing the role of chief coordinators to deliver a festive and violence-free election.