Yunus led interim govt ensures free, fair polls with heightened security
Staff Reporter :
The interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has played a pivotal role in orchestrating Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, promising voters a free and fair democratic exercise after years of contention.
Yunus’s administration swiftly reformed the Election Commission, inducting technocrats and expanding voter lists to include eligible citizens, while introducing electronic voting pilots and expatriate postal ballots for unprecedented inclusivity.
Intensive voter education campaigns, especially targeting youth and women, alongside accreditation for thousands of local and international observers, have rebuilt trust in the process.
Bangladesh’s democratic revival is a bridge to a people-driven future.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain predicts over 55per cent turnout, with non-resident Bangladeshis voting via postal ballots.
Deploying nearly one million personnel including police, army, BGB, RAB, and Ansar; the government has blanketed 42,766 polling stations with three-to-six tier security, prioritising over high-risk centers through CCTV, body cams, drones, and quick-response teams.
Dhaka sees intensified checkpoints, vehicle checks, and patrols at key roads and hubs, creating a visible security blanket amid the quiet streets. Officials stress these steps, based on risk assessments, aim for free, and fair voting without incidents. High-risk zones cluster in areas such as Mohammadpur, Rayer Bazar, Bosila, Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra, Mirpur, Rampura, Khilkhet, Bhatara, Dakshinkhan, and Demra and Uttarkhan, where over 50per cent of the city’s risky centers are concentrated.
Nearly 958,000 law enforcement personnel are mobilised nationwide, including police, army, BGB, RAB, Ansar, and VDP members, with three-tier setups in Dhaka and six-tier plans in regions like Rangpur.
Extra forces target over 50per cent of the total polling stations deemed risky due to past violence, high voter numbers, or remote locations, with armed police, striking teams, and mobile patrols on standby.
A zero-tolerance policy mandates immediate arrests for violence or rigging, backed by 24/7 intelligence monitoring and public bans on arms, ensuring daylight transparency nationwide. Dhaka’s intensified checkpoints and rural reinforcements reflect the government’s resolve to deliver peaceful voting, hailed by officials as a festival of democracy free from past irregularities.
These comprehensive polls are the cornerstones for national stability under Yunus’s steady leadership.