Chittagong: Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Saturday said the decision on army deployment during the city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong will be taken on 19 April following a meeting with law enforces.

“No decision can be taken right now over army deployment during the polls…the decision will be taken on 19 April after a meeting with law enforces,’’ he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with mayoral and councillor candidates of the city polls at 24 Auditorium in the port city.

“Ballot box snatching will be resisted strongly as the Election Commission has taken all the necessary preparations to hold the polls in a free, fair and neutral manner,” Rakibuddin said adding, “I want to say firmly there’ll be no compromise in holding a neutral election.”

The CEC went on saying, “Many candidates have expressed fear over ballot box snatching but I’ve assured them this won’t happen as law enforcers will deal with them strongly.”

Election Commissioners Brigadier General (retd) Md Zabed Ali and M Shah Nawaz, and election commission secretary M Sirajul Islam were, among others, present at the meeting.