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Around 2,000 employees of the Dhaka metro rail company have threatened to launch a tough protest programme to press for their voting rights, alleging that the authorities cancelled all leave without making arrangements for them to cast their votes.
In a notice issued on February 2, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) cancelled all types of leave for its staff from February 8 to ensure uninterrupted metro rail operations before and during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum.
In another office order issued on January 25, the DMTCL also increased weekly working hours from 40 to 48.
In an unsigned press release sent to the media, the employees claimed that keeping public transport services running without providing for postal ballots violates a cabinet directive issued on December 21.
A DMTCL official confirmed receiving the complaint and said a letter outlining the allegations had been sent to the chief election commissioner.
The official added that the decision to keep metro rail operations running was in line with government instructions, which have restricted the movement of other modes of transport, not the metro rail.
The Road Transport and Highways Division has imposed restrictions on the movement of all kinds of public transport, including taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses and trucks, ahead of and on election day.
The press release further alleged that DMTCL employees had been deprived of service rules and various government facilities during the tenure of the "autocratic" Awami League government.
"The DMTCL authority must ensure the voting rights of the company's officials and employees during the 13th national election; otherwise, a strong programme will be announced to press for the right," it said.
However, DMTCL Managing Director Mohammad Faruque Ahmed said that, like other emergency service providers, DMTCL officials and employees would be able to cast their votes.
"If it is through postal ballots, they can make the arrangements themselves," he told the FE over the phone.
However, provision for postal voting has been made for Bangladeshi expatriates and emergency service providers, including police, army, and election-duty officials, but its scope ended with the closure of registration on December 31. The DMTCL's decision on metro operations came at the last moment.
smunima@yahoo.com