The government has allocated Tk71.98 crore for installing CCTV cameras at 21,946 very important and risky polling stations across the country ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 12 February.
The information was disclosed by Chief Adviser Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder at a briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NICAR).
Chief Adviser Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present at the briefing.
Azad Majumder said that out of around 42,000 polling stations across the country, 6,552 already have CCTV coverage, while cameras are being installed at the remaining centres.
He said 21,946 polling stations have been identified as more important and risky, for which a special allocation has been made from the Ministry of Finance to install CCTV cameras.
Under the special allocation, at least six CCTV cameras will be installed at each identified risky polling station, he said, adding that installation at non-risky centres is being carried out using funds from local administrations, city corporations and district administrations.
Azad Majumder said CCTV installation has already been completed in nearly 100 per cent of polling stations in several districts, with Gazipur cited as a notable example.
Of Gazipur’s 935 polling stations, 447 have been identified as risky, and most of them have already been brought under CCTV coverage through the special allocation, he said, adding that the remaining installations are expected to be completed by 31 January.
The deputy press secretary also said 299 polling stations across the country currently do not have electricity connections.
He said initiatives are underway to provide solar power to those centres, while administrations have been instructed to ensure electricity supply on polling day, including through generators if necessary.
At the briefing, Shafiqul Alam said the NICAR meeting discussed ways to improve law and order management in Dhaka metropolis amid rapid population growth.
He said proposals such as dividing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police into north and south zones or restructuring it into multiple units were discussed, although no final decision has yet been taken.
Shafiqul Alam also strongly condemned the recent violent incident in Chattogram’s Jungle Salimpur area, saying all those involved would be brought to justice.
He said joint forces would conduct stronger operations in the area, including combing operations to recover looted weapons from surrounding localities.
