Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian has assured that special attention is being focused on several remote and hard-to-reach polling centres across the district, including Urirchar, Fatikchhari, and the hilly areas of Banshkhali.
Speaking to journalists at his office on Tuesday, the DC confirmed that Army units have been deployed in these specific areas to ensure robust security.
He emphasised that all preparations for the upcoming election have been completed, with ballot papers, presiding officers, and polling officers ready for duty. According to the DC, all forces are working in sync and at the same pace to maintain a festive atmosphere.
Clear instructions have been issued to ensure that no law enforcement personnel or magistrates leave their assigned polling centres until results are fully delivered to the office of the assistant returning officer.
Technological oversight and monitoring
The administration has reorganised the security system using technology to its maximum extent. Every polling centre has been equipped with CCTV cameras, while police personnel, BGB, and Army members are all using body-worn cameras.
Additionally, Ansar has developed a dedicated security app, and several Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have created mobile applications to track real-time movements at polling centres.
This data is shared instantly with the district administration, allowing activities at the upazila level to be monitored online from the district headquarters.
Zahidul noted that there is no scope for any disruptions this time, stating that the goal is to ensure a safe environment where voters can cast their franchise freely and return home without fear.
Deployment and coordination
A comprehensive security blanket has been thrown over the entire district, involving more than 40,000 members of various law enforcement agencies. This includes the Bangladesh Army, Ansar, BGB, RAB, Coast Guard, and the Navy.
A total of 115 executive and judicial magistrates are working in the field across 1,965 polling centres.
Each centre is staffed by police personnel and 13 Ansar members, with one Ansar member specifically assigned to every presiding officer.
To ensure rapid action, striking forces have been positioned to reach any spot where a disturbance occurs within five minutes. Coordination has been further strengthened through the formation of divisional, district, and upazila-level coordination cells.
Ensuring a fair playing field
The DC highlighted that candidates’ activities are being closely monitored to ensure a level playing field for all. Efforts are also being made to counter misinformation through a special committee of social media experts.
This team uses a dedicated app to instantly verify suspicious links and determine their authenticity.
Concluding his remarks, the DC reiterated the administration’s commitment as public servants to delivering a free, fair, and internationally acceptable election.
He stated that the duration of law enforcement deployment has been extended this year, with responsibilities fixed on a centre-by-centre basis to ensure no shortage in security arrangements.
