The Election Commission (EC) has unveiled a detailed security blueprint to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of voters, election officials, and sensitive election materials ahead of 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. The plan involves deploying law-enforcement agencies, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), and a range of supporting mechanisms to guarantee smooth polling.
According to a special law-and-order circular issued by EC on Thursday, law-enforcement forces will be deployed for five days—three days prior to polling, on polling day, and one day after. Ansar and VDP personnel will serve for six days, covering four days before polling, polling day, and one day after.
Earlier, the EC had announced plans to station between 13 and 18 security personnel at each polling centre. More than 700,000 members of various forces will be engaged in election security, including around 550,000 Ansar-VDP members. In addition, more than 90,000 members of the armed forces will be deployed alongside police, RAB, BGB, and Coast Guard personnel.
Supporting election enquiry and adjudication committee
EC has instructed all divisional commissioners and police superintendents to provide two armed police personnel to ensure the safety of officials in the Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committee. The committee, formed on December 14, comprises judges assigned to all 300 constituencies. Its mandate is to investigate electoral offences and conduct summary trials under the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to deploy striking forces as required to assist the committee in carrying out enquiries and trials.
Security at returning officers’ offices
In a separate instruction, EC asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the security of offices of returning officers and assistant returning officers, which store critical election documents, materials, and equipment. Adequate police deployment has been requested to safeguard both officials and assets.
A superintendent-level officer at Police Headquarters, speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity, noted the challenges ahead, saying, “Police will try their best to meet the requirements, ensure security and maintain law and order. However, fulfilling all the requirements may be challenging, as there are numerous demands from EC, other departments, and candidates, while the number of police personnel is limited.”
International observation and media access
In a move to ensure transparency, EC has invited international election observers and foreign media to monitor the parliamentary election and referendum. Applications remain open until 17 January. The invitation, outlined in a letter from EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, reiterates the commission’s commitment to a free, fair, credible, and participatory national election scheduled for 12 February.
All international observers, observer organisations, and foreign media will coordinate with local observers to ensure comprehensive monitoring, in accordance with the International Observers and Foreign Media Policy–2025.
Disinformation monitoring measures
To combat misinformation surrounding the election, EC will operate a disinformation monitoring cell for seven days—four days prior to polling, on polling day, and for two days afterward. This initiative complements full-scale operations by law-enforcement agencies, aimed at ensuring political parties can campaign freely, voters cast ballots safely, and vulnerable groups are protected.
Security measures will include static deployment at polling centres, permanent and temporary check posts, mobile patrols, operational teams, and striking forces. Additional precautions such as CCTV coverage and live monitoring through body cameras will be implemented at high-risk polling stations. Special drives will also target illegal arms and disinformation.
Candidate security requests
Two prospective candidates have formally requested security from EC. Kazi Reha Kabir Sigma, an independent candidate from Kishoreganj-4, and Asaduzzaman Fuaad, general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party and candidate from Barishal-3, approached the commission with written applications. Both met with senior EC officials, including Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, to discuss their concerns.
As the country prepares for a critical parliamentary election and referendum, EC’s extensive security planning underscores the importance of maintaining law and order and safeguarding the democratic process. While logistical and personnel challenges remain, the multi-layered strategy aims to ensure a safe and transparent electoral exercise for voters, officials, and candidates alike.
