Judicial officers did not get striking force: Written complaint to EC

Staff Correspondent

Judicial officers have complained that they were not provided with an adequate striking force like executive magistrates while performing their duties in the 13th National Parliament elections. Several judicial magistrates have submitted written complaints to the Election Commission in this regard. They said that they are facing discrimination in this regard.

Senior Judicial Magistrate of Shahjadpur Chowki Court in Sirajganj, Moslem Uddin, complained in a letter sent to the Senior Secretary of the Election Commission on Wednesday that he had written to the camp commander of the concerned force requesting a striking force to run the judicial court. But he was told that it was not possible to provide the force without the instructions of the returning officer. Later, he was given only one policeman by the Superintendent of Police.
Earlier, on February 10, Senior Judicial Magistrate of Barguna Ifti Hasan Imran also wrote a letter to the Election Commission with a similar complaint. He said that on January 8, he had written to the contingent commander of the concerned force requesting a striking force to run the mobile court. However, the commander called and informed him of his inability to provide the force. Later, he said that it was not possible to run the mobile court with two policemen and sought help from other forces and the Election Commission.

The complaint further states that an official from a relevant camp behaved disrespectfully over the phone with Judge Ifti Hasan Imran after he reported the matter to the Election Commission.

Moslem Uddin’s letter states that according to Section 89A (2) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, the commander of the force assigned to election duty, the Superintendent of Police or the officer-in-charge of the police station is obliged to provide striking forces as per the demand of the magistrate. Therefore, legal action has been demanded against those who show inability to provide the necessary security forces.

It has been learned that 2,098 executive magistrates and 657 judicial magistrates have been appointed to ensure law and order and speedy trial of election crimes in this year’s elections.

According to the Election Commission, they will be on duty in 299 constituencies to take account of electoral crimes and complete speedy trials. They will be on duty for a total of five days: two days before the election, on the day of the election, and two days after the election.

Several judicial magistrates said that in many cases they have been given only one or two policemen. On the other hand, executive magistrates have been given a platoon of BGB or army members.

Several judicial magistrates, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the primary responsibility for conducting justice rests with the judges. But they are discouraged from performing their duties effectively due to the lack of adequate security.

In this regard, Judicial Service Association Secretary General Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman said, the matter has been reported to the Election Commission. The commission said, if necessary, striking force support will be provided to judicial magistrates. The Election Commission issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday.

The notification issued by the Election Commission states that considering the law and order situation and risks, the forces deployed in the constituency will conduct center-based duties, mobile patrols, check posts and striking force operations. It has been emphasized that immediate action should be taken in the presence of magistrates to suppress electoral irregularities or crimes.

It has also been said that necessary security support will be ensured in operations conducted based on complaints filed with the magistrates or on their own assessment. The concerned have been instructed to take necessary measures through effective coordination.