Thakurgaon-1 by-election: EC bars outsiders from staying in constituency from October 27

The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on outsiders staying in the constituency ahead of the Thakurgaon-1 by-election. The ban will remain in force from 8am on October 27 until 4pm on October 30, according to the directive.

The instruction was issued on Sunday in a letter signed by Shahidul Islam, senior assistant secretary of the EC's Election Management and Coordination-1 branch. The directive covers the few days immediately before and after the by-election.

The by-election for the vacant Thakurgaon-1 seat will be held on October 29. With polling day in the middle, the period from two days before the vote until the afternoon of the following day has been brought under the restriction.

The directive says that, apart from persons involved in election activities, persons permitted by the Election Commission, and residents or voters of the constituency concerned, no one else may stay in the electoral area during this period. In other words, outsiders outside those three categories are the main target of the ban.

According to the Election Commission, the decision has been taken to hold the election in a manner free of influence, neutral and peaceful. The aim is to ensure that the presence of people coming from outside cannot influence the voting environment.

The deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police of Thakurgaon have been requested to take necessary measures in this regard. The responsibility for implementing the ban therefore falls on the field administration and the police.

As polling approaches, this directive is now the biggest administrative issue in the constituency. From the morning of October 27, who may and may not stay in the area will be determined on the basis of this letter.

As those involved in election work and those permitted by the EC are exempted, the formal work of organising the vote should not be disrupted by the ban. Likewise, no obstacle has been placed on the normal presence of the area's own residents and voters.

The ban will remain in force even after voting ends on October 29, until 4pm on October 30, indicating an intention to keep the post-poll period calm as well.

It now remains to be seen how effectively the district administration and police implement the directive on the ground, and how free of influence and peaceful the by-election proves to be.