The law enforcing authority and the election in CHT, Bangladesh.

4 Sept., 2001, summary of reports in Bangla Dailies, etc. Compiled by Japan CHT Committee

The first parliamentary election after signing the "CHT peace accord" in 1997 is going to be held in the CHT on 1st October 2001. Unfortunately, it is going to be held without participation of the JSS, the signatory party of the CHT peace accord. The JSS has decided to boycott and resist the election and and made an open appeal to the indigenous people to cooperate with them for the same. The JSS has decided to boycott the election for government's failure to implementation of the CHT peace accord and not fulfilling its demand for a fresh electoral list that should include only the permanent residents of CHT.

On the other hand some indigenous leaders have also opted for participation in the election. The United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), another organization run by the younger leaders of CHT who are opposing the CHT peace accord and demanding 'full autonomy' in the CHT region has also participated in the election.

In a situation like this, the care taker government has been considering the electioneering in CHT as highly sensitive and taken up extraordinary security measures for running the election. It has been reported that to maintain law and order situation a high level co-ordination team had been formed that includes the military, BDR (Bangladesh Rifles, border security forces of the country) and the police forces. A contingency plan particularly for CHT region was submitted to the care taker government earlier to maintain the law and order situation during election.

It has been reported that helicopters of the air forces will be used to keep the law and order situation under control and quick delivery of emergency forces etc. For the same purpose 92 helipad has been made in different locations and remote areas of CHT. Some intellectuals among the indigenous people also expressed their concerned that such a direct and intensive involvement of military, BDR apart from police forces will undoubtedly hamper the image of impartiality of the government or, the very essence and purposes of democratic exercise in CHT.