Training begins for Chattogram polls amid corona scare

The Election Commission has started training polling officers for the upcoming Chattogram City Corporation election although the government instructed the people to avoid gatherings to contain the Covid-19 spread.

The training, to be conducted in five phases till March 28, started in four schools in the port city on Friday.

But the participants expressed their disappointment as the fear of the corona outbreak has gripped the whole nation like elsewhere in the world.

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder earlier left the city over corona scare, cancelling meetings with the candidates. But the polling officers now have no option but to participate in the training.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research on Friday said the use of electronic voting machines in the city corporation polls would increase the risk of coronavirus spread.

In the port city's election, 735 presiding officers, 4,886 assistant presiding officers and 9,772 polling officers will be on duty. 

Obaidulla, a primary school teacher, said, "We are training at a time when the government has restricted all kinds of meeting and gathering. The commission has exposed us to infection."

Mahiuddin, a food inspector in Chattogram and also a trainee, said: "Almost everything is being closed across the country to contain coronavirus. But the Chattogram City Corporation polls activities are going on. It makes no sense."

Muhammad Hasanuzzaman, returning officer and also the regional election officer, said: "As no decision has been made about rescheduling the polling date, the officials are training according to rules."

The Chattogram City Corporation polls is scheduled to be held on March 29.