Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum, members of the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed starting on Sunday. A total 1,051 executive magistrates will also be on duty. They are expected to remain in the field until 14 February.
According to the Election Commission, more than 970,000 law enforcement personnel will be assigned to election duties. This includes personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar and Village Defence Party, Coast Guard, and Border Guard Bangladesh.
Ahead of the polls, parties including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh have repeatedly expressed concerns about the law and order situation. However, the Election Commission has assured that the environment is peaceful and conducive for holding elections.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said, “The army has already been deployed, and additional forces will join from Sunday.
They will formally remain on duty seven days before and after polling. All law enforcement agencies have confirmed that the law and order situation across the country is fully supportive of the election.”
Asked about the potential impact of Friday’s Inqilab Moncho movement, Masud said, “Only a few days remain before the election. We urge them to temporarily suspend such demands in the interest of the polls. We believe the election environment is completely safe.”
A circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs states that police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar and VDP, and the Coast Guard will maintain peace and security at election areas.
The armed forces will operate as mobile and striking forces to support local administration and will follow instructions from the returning officers.
Outside metropolitan areas, 16–17 police and Ansar personnel will be deployed at each general polling centre, while 17–18 will be stationed at centres classified as risky. In metropolitan areas, 16 personnel will be at general centres and 17 at risky ones.
In specified remote polling centres across 25 districts, 16–18 police and Ansar members will be deployed. These personnel will remain on duty from two days before polling until voting day.
