The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has ramped up surveillance and assured of their readiness to ensure a smooth and fair by-election for Dhaka-17, which is scheduled for Monday.
Talking with the media on Sunday, DMP Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Media and Public Relations Division Farooq Hossain said that election materials have already been securely delivered to each voting centre.
"At this point, we do not foresee any unwanted incidents linked to the election," Farooq Hossain said, adding that police officers will be vigilant to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
"Police officers tasked with election duties have been appointed to each voting centre," he said.
“The DMP, responsible for security, aims to gift the public an unhindered and fair election, and preliminary preparations have already been completed,” he added.
The DMP deputy commissioner urged everyone to follow the electoral code of conduct during the election period and encouraged voters to vote freely at the centres.
Also Read: Dhaka-17 by-polls: Meet the candidates
"A meeting was held earlier today under the leadership of the DMP Commissioner involving the law enforcement members associated with the election, where clear directives were issued to ensure no instigators of disturbances go unpunished,” Farooq Hossain revealed.
“Our DMP members on the field will prioritize voters' security. Moreover, we have arranged for a sufficient police presence to oversee the election," he added.
Dhaka-17 by-polls are scheduled to be held from 8am to 4pm.
The Election Commission has banned the movement of motorcycles in Dhaka's Gulshan, Banani, and Cantonment areas for an uninterrupted election, which will go into action from 12am Sunday, till Tuesday.
Besides, the movement of buses, trucks, minibuses, microbuses, jeeps, pickups, private cars, and easy bikes will be restricted from Sunday to Monday.
Earlier, the Ministry of Public Administration declared a general holiday on Monday in the Dhaka-17 constituency.
A total of eight MP candidates are contesting in the by-polls. The candidates are Mohammad Arafat (Boat), Ashraful Hossen Alom alias Hero Alom (Ektara), Major (retd) Sikder Anisur Rahman (Plough), Kazi Md Rashedul Hassan Rashed (Rose), Major (retd) Sheikh Habibur Rahman (Sonali Aash), Rezaul Islam Swapan (Green Coconut), Mohammad Akhter Hossain (Chari) and Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan (Truck).
The Dhaka-17 constituency, consisting of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and a portion of the Dhaka Cantonment, fell vacant following the death of actor Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque.
It holds the distinction of being the most affluent constituency in the capital.