Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that there were concerns about possible militant attacks during the campaign for the 13th parliamentary election.
However, he assured that no such incidents occurred and the risk is now over.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, he said, “Police will carry out their duties with complete professionalism.”
He added that three types of measures, including technology-based systems, have been taken to ensure a free and fair election.
A total of 187,603 police personnel will be deployed nationwide for the election. In addition, two striking forces will be on standby to quickly respond if needed.
He noted that 24,000 polling centres across the country have been identified as vulnerable. Special monitoring will be in place at these centres through CCTV and body cameras. If violence occurs at any centre, voting at that centre or even in the entire constituency may be suspended.
Responding to a question about whether looted weapons could affect the election, IGP Baharul said that more than 1,330 firearms listed in police records, along with thousands of weapons looted at the individual level, have yet to be recovered.
He said, “We are not dismissing anything; all factors have been considered in designing the security measures. With the support of the armed forces, a safe and successful election will be held.”
Additional IGP (Administration) AKM Awlad Hossain, Additional IGP (Finance) Md Akram Hossain, Additional IGP (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, and Additional IGP (Development) Sardar Nurul Amin were present at the conference.
