BCC polls: EC completes preparation to hold fair election

The Election Commission (EC) has completed all necessary preparations to ensure a fair election. 

Security measures have been heightened across the city, and the use of motorcycles has been restricted as directed by the Election Commission, as the Barisal City Corporation election is scheduled to take place on Monday.

Dhaka Tribune

Law enforcement agencies have initiated operations to restrict and monitor motorcycle movements in the Barisal City Corporation (BCC) areas. 

Humayun Kabir, the returning officer for the BCC election, on Sunday stated that 43 types of voting equipment, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), EVM fingerprint checking machines, voter lists with photos, indelible ink pens, special envelopes, posters outlining the voting process, banners, and festoons, are being distributed. 

This election will be the first time that electronic voting machines (EVM) will be used in all 126 centres of Barisal. 

A total of 1,500 EVM machines and 1,200 CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure the security of the 894 polling booths in these 126 voting centres. 

The returning officer urged voters to come to the polling stations to cast their votes and expressed hope for a festive polling atmosphere in Barisal this time.

The returning officer, under tight security, was engaged in distributing BCC election materials at the district Shilpakala Academy of Barisal on Sunday noon. 

Voting will take place on Monday from 8am-4pm. 

Barisal City Corporation has a total of 276,298 voters across its 30 wards. There are 116 candidates participating in the Barisal City Corporation elections, including 30 candidates for general ward councillors, 42 candidates for 10 reserved female councillor positions, and seven candidates for the mayoral post.

Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) Commissioner Saiful Islam stated that 4,500 law enforcement personnel have been deployed to ensure strict security throughout the BCC constituencies. The BMP has identified 106 out of the city's 126 polling stations as high-risk areas. 

Additionally, 12 Ansar members will be assigned to each polling centre, making a total of 1,512 members involved in duty. 

Furthermore, 16 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) teams have been dispatched to serve as a striking force in the field.Dhaka TribuneIn addition, ten platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 30 executive magistrates, and ten judicial magistrates have also begun their duties, according to district magistrate Jahangir Hossain. 

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies, including the police, RAB, and BGB, have set up check posts at every intersection of Barisal city and are conducting searches. They have been patrolling the city since Sunday morning and will continue to do so. 

The administration has issued strict instructions for outsiders to leave the city, and police have warned of action against those who remain in violation of these instructions.