JanUARY 7 polls: Army to be in field from Jan 3-10

Staff Reporter :
Army personnel will be deployed across the country on January 3 to help maintain the law and order situation before, during and after the upcoming national polls.

The troops will perform the duties till January 10, according to a letter of the Armed Forces Division issued today (26 December).

Considering the Election Commission’s request for conducting the 12th national elections in a free, fair, impartial and peaceful manner, support will be extended to the local civil administration under the “In Aid to the Civil Power” initiative in all 300 constituencies of Bangladesh from 3 January to 10 January, reads the letter.

The army personnel will be stationed at pivotal and convenient locations in each district, upazila, and metropolitan area.

Their deployment in these regions will be coordinated with the returning officer, ensuring collaboration with the district/upazila/police station authorities.

According to the letter, a coordination cell will commence operations in the Armed Forces Division starting from 29 December. The force will set up and operate coordination cells as required in different locations.

Earlier on 17 December, President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved the deployment of the Bangladesh Army to bolster security and uphold law and order during the Jatiya Sangsad elections slated for 7 January.

During the 11th National Assembly elections in 2018, a total of 414 army platoons, each comprising 30 personnel, were deployed across 389 upazilas. Additionally, 48 navy platoons were deployed in 18 upazilas during that time.

During the 5 January election in 2014, approximately 50,000 armed forces personnel were deployed nationwide from 26 December to 9 January to ensure security during the parliamentary elections.