Military helicopters will be used to conduct election-related activities at 11 remote polling centres in Bandarban during the 13th parliamentary election, despite improvements in road communication in the hill district.
Bandarban District Election Officer Mohammad Kamrul Alam said the Election Commission and the returning officer have been formally informed of the requirement to use military helicopters at the identified “remote” centres.
He said the request was submitted considering the geographical isolation and difficult terrain of the centres, although it was not yet known whether final approval had been granted by the relevant military authorities.
According to district election office sources, the list includes seven polling centres in Thanchi Upazila near the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, two in Ruma Upazila and one each in Alikadam and Rowangchhari upazilas.
The sources said military helicopters have been used at these centres since the 1990s to transport polling officials, ballot papers, seals and ballot boxes, and to bring back election materials and officials to the district headquarters after vote counting.
Given the longstanding practice, election officials expressed confidence that cooperation from the military authorities would again be available for the upcoming polls.
The centres seeking helicopter support are Radalian Para Government Primary School, Remakri Bazar Government Primary School, Boro Modok Government Primary School, Chhoto Modok Bazar Government Primary School, Tindu Grouping Para Government Primary School, Chaithoaihla Karbari Para Non-Government Primary School and Jinnapara Non-Government Primary School in Thanchi Upazila.
They also include Kom Chong Yungcha Mawroom Government Primary School in Alikadam Upazila, Ranin Para Government Primary School in Rowangchhari Upazila, and Pakniar Para Government Primary School and Chinglak Para Government Primary School in Ruma Upazila.
