Army to be deployed for 13 days before and after polls

The armed forces will be deployed across the country from December 29 to January 10 to assist civil administration aimed at maintaining law and order before and after the general elections.

The Election Commission (EC) said this in a letter sent to the Armed Forces Division on Monday.

The letter said EC decided that armed forces will be deployed in all 300 constituencies from December 29 to January 10 to assist local civil administration under "in aid to the civil power" aimed at maintaining law and order before, on the voting day, and after the elections.

Earlier on Sunday, President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved in principle the deployment of the army during the polls in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

However, the 12th general election is slated to be held on January 7.

SM/SU