Army, law enforcement agencies, magistrates deployed from today
Staff Reporter:
About 18 percent of polling centres in Dhaka-14, Dhaka-16 and Dhaka-18 constituencies have been identified as risk-prone, with Dhaka-14 and Dhaka-16 categorised as highly risky, the Bangladesh Army said on Saturday.
Mirpur Army Camp Commander Lt Col SM Fuad Masrur disclosed the information while briefing journalists at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium this afternoon on security arrangements and election preparedness in the three constituencies ahead of the national parliamentary election.
He said the Army is on maximum alert to ensure voters can move to and from polling centres without any hindrance.
According to him, polling centres have been classified as highly risk-prone, medium-risk and general based on threat assessments, and security deployment has been arranged accordingly.
Fuad Masrur also urged journalists to verify information carefully before reporting any incidents of disorder or sabotage during the election period, warning that unverified reports could spread misinformation or provoke unrest.
He said the Army would ensure the safety of both election candidates and media personnel and called on the public to immediately inform law enforcement agencies if they observe any suspicious or risky situation.
Meanwhile, members of the armed forces, alongside other law enforcement agencies, have been deployed across the country from today (Sunday) to ensure that the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum are held in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful manner.
At the same time, 1,051 executive magistrates have also been deployed. Both the security forces and magistrates will remain on duty until February 14.
According to the Election Commission (EC), executive magistrates will operate mobile courts in their respective areas from February 8 to 14.
In addition to overseeing compliance with the election code of conduct, they will be responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing criminal activities, conducting mobile court operations and providing directives to striking forces, particularly teams from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard and the armed forces.
Speaking to the media, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the army had already been deployed and would be further reinforced from tomorrow.
“Formally, the army will remain deployed for seven days before and after the election. We have held coordination meetings with all law enforcement agencies, and they have confirmed that the overall situation on the ground is stable and conducive to holding the election,” he said.
Earlier, a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said that police, BGB, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), as well as the Coast Guard, would be deployed to maintain peace and order and ensure a fair, peaceful and neutral election.
Members of the armed forces will also be deployed under the ‘in aid to civil power’ provision to support the local civil administration.
According to the EC, around 970,000 members of various forces will be engaged in election duties this time.