Staff Reporter:
The interim government has rolled out an extensive, multi-agency security plan with deployment of around one million law enforcers to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible polling environment across the country as Bangladesh prepares for the 13th national parliament election and referen-dum scheduled for February 12 next.
Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury yesterday reaffirmed gov-ernment’s zero-tolerance against any violence and sabotage, stating that all law enforcement agen-cies have been placed on high alert.
“We are firmly committed to keeping the law and order stable and undisrupted throughout the election period,” he said, adding that authorities would take strict action against any attempt to disrupt the election environment.
The Home Adviser noted that security forces have been empowered to enter any location, includ-ing polling centres, if necessary to prevent violence.
Border vigilance, intelligence surveillance and monitoring on provocative social media contents are also being strengthened, he also said.
Calling on political parties and citizens to remain vigilant, the Home Adviser urged them for coop-eration with the law enforcers.
“There is no inherent security risk for the public. Every citizen will be protected,” Chowdhury said, expressing optimism that the election will be held in a peaceful, festive and credible manner.
In addition, the Home Adviser said members of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will be deployed for peaceful election.
More than 900,000 personnel from various forces will be engaged to secure nearly 43,000 polling stations and around 260,000 polling booths across 300 constituencies, involving about 127.5 mil-lion voters.
The deployment includes police, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Ansar and VDP, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Armed Police Battalion (APBN), Bang-ladesh Coast Guard and members of the armed forces under the “in aid to civil power” provision.
Security arrangements have been categorized based on risk level, with enhanced protection at im-portant and sensitive polling centers, including in metropolitan areas, Chittagong Hill Tracts and remote regions.
The deployment includes 100,000 Army personnel, 5,000 Navy members, 3,730 Air Force mem-bers, 37,453 BGB members, 3,500 Coast Guard personnel, 187,603 police members, 9,349 RAB personnel, 56000 Ansar and VDP members, 1,922 BNCC cadets and 45,820 chowkidar and dafadar.
Inspector General of Police Bahrul Alam expressed confidence that the police would uphold profes-sionalism and neutrality during the polls.
“Police is at a crucial turning point. Our members must demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and responsibility to regain public trust,” the IGP said, stressing the growing importance of cyber intelligence and social media monitoring.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali also warned against any breach of the electoral code of conduct.
“Ensuring a flawless and impartial election must take priority over all political affiliations,” he said.
He cautioned that violations could jeopardize both candidate security and overall election envi-ronment.
While, Border Guard Bangladesh Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Sid-diqui said more than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed in 489 upazilas, with exclusive re-sponsibility in 61 border upazilas.
“BGB will perform duties as a professional, disciplined and politically neutral force so that voters can cast their votes in a free and fair environment,” he said, adding that helicopters, drones, K-9 units and quick response teams will remain standby.
He also highlighted heightened vigilance along the Myanmar border and special measures to pre-vent smuggling, illegal infiltration and security risks linked to the Rohingya situation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed in coastal and reverie areas from 18 Janu-ary to 14 February. The force is committed to safeguarding remote and high-risk polling centers.
A central Law and Order Coordination Cell has been formed with representatives from all major law enforcement agencies, while a special team under emergency service 999 will provide round-the-clock election support.
Joint forces will conduct area-based operations, checkpoints and mobile patrols throughout the election period under the supervision of Returning Officers.
