Election materials have begun reaching polling centres across four parliamentary constituencies in Cox’s Bazar ahead of voting for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum scheduled for Thursday, 12 February.
The administration has taken maximum security measures across the district.
Officials started distributing ballot papers and other materials to centres from Wednesday morning. Authorities said strict security arrangements remain in place while transporting materials to remote and high-risk locations, including Saint Martin’s Island.
Considering its border location, coastal geography and proximity to Rohingya camps, Cox’s Bazar has been identified as a sensitive district. A joint force led by the Bangladesh Army has taken extensive preparations to maintain law and order.
To prevent any attempt to use Rohingyas for sabotage or violence, authorities have restricted movement outside the camps.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanveer Ahmed told journalists that maximum alert measures are in place to prevent any malicious group from creating unrest using Rohingyas. Movement outside the camps remains suspended before and after the polls, and security forces are closely monitoring activities inside and around the camps.
He said barbed-wire fencing in camp areas has been repaired, checkposts have been set up at key points, and regular patrols and special drives are underway. The presence of law enforcement agencies in adjacent areas has also been increased.
Army striking forces will remain ready at remote and vulnerable polling centres.
Lieutenant Colonel Sutofa Zaman said “The army would act in coordination with police, RAB and BGB if any irregularity or conflict arises at any centre.”
He said ensuring that voters can cast their ballots safely remains the top priority.
According to the district returning officer’s office, there are 598 polling centres in four constituencies. Of them, 329 centres have been identified as vulnerable.
A total of 1,849,357 voters are expected to cast their ballots in 3,689 polling booths. Some 12,251 polling officials will conduct the voting process.
Around 13,499 members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed across the district.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Nizam Uddin Ahmed said quick decisions and effective coordination remain crucial to ensuring a peaceful election.
The administration has set up a district central command centre to monitor the overall situation and deploy forces immediately if required.
Ballot papers and election materials have already been sent to vulnerable areas, including Ukhiya and Teknaf.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Emamul Hafiz Nadim said “Materials are being delivered under strict security and any attempt to create disorder will not be tolerated.”
He added that ballot papers and materials for remote and high-risk centres, including St Martin’s Island, have already been delivered under the supervision of the Coast Guard, Navy and police.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Asma said adequate law enforcement personnel will remain deployed at vulnerable centres.
Officials from the administration and law enforcement agencies said strict security has been ensured across border, coastal and camp-adjacent areas as well as all vulnerable centres. They expressed hope that active voter participation will help ensure a peaceful and credible election.
