The distribution of ballot boxes and essential election materials to 675 polling centres across five constituencies in Gaibandha began on Wednesday morning, ahead Election scheduled for Thursday.
Following the conclusion of election campaigning on Tuesday, authorities have moved to secure the district.
Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, and members of the Police and Ansar are currently escorting materials to their respective stations. Out of the total polling centres, the administration has identified 379 as “risky” (vulnerable).
Mohammad Masudur Rahman Mollah, the Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Gaibandha, assured the public that comprehensive security measures are in place.
“There is no reason for concern regarding safety. The administration has implemented a multi-layered security blanket across all five constituencies,” he stated.
To ensure transparency, CCTV cameras have been installed in every polling centre, which will be monitored in real-time from district and upazila-level control rooms.
Furthermore, generators have been arranged for 11 centres located in remote char areas that lack electricity.
The security deployment involves a massive coordinated effort by the joint forces, including: 1,150 Army personnel and 40 Magistrates; 15 platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB); 2,000 Police officers and 15 teams from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB); 8,775 members of the Ansar-VDP, alongside numerous Naval Police personnel.
In addition to armed officers, Ansar members on duty at the centres will be equipped with body cameras, and plainclothes personnel will be active throughout the district to maintain order.
Regular patrols and security drills are currently being conducted to ensure a peaceful voting process.
