A decision has been made to transfer deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), officers-in-charge (OCs), and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) ahead of the upcoming national election, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
He added that the transfers will be conducted at random.
The directive was given during a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday, in preparation for the election. These statements were shared during a briefing later in the evening.
Regarding the transfers, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that the idea of using a lottery system with numbering to carry out the reshuffle has been proposed.
He added: “The chief adviser has asked that the feasibility of such a method be explored, so that no one can exercise undue influence following the transfers.”
On the meeting’s discussions, the press secretary said it was confirmed that 800,000 members of the law enforcement agencies will be deployed for election duty. The chief adviser instructed that all these personnel must be properly trained to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election; this training must be completed by December.
Shafiqul Alam added that a large number of people are expected to vote in the upcoming election.
Referring to alleged irregularities in three previous elections under Sheikh Hasina’s government, he noted that many young voters were denied the opportunity to vote.
Shafiqul further added: “The chief adviser has instructed officials to examine whether a separate voter list can be prepared for those aged between 18 and 33, and whether dedicated polling booths can be arranged for them.”
He said detailed discussions were held regarding how law enforcement would be deployed during the election period. This included deployment in border areas, across the country, and in high-risk polling centres.
He added: “Discussions also covered the role of BGB and the army as potential strike forces. Among the 800,000 security personnel, 570,000 will be Ansar members, while 141,000 will be police officers.”
He continued: “Additionally, the meeting disclosed that there will be 47,000 polling centres, of which around 16,000 are considered vulnerable. The chief adviser gave instructions to ensure peaceful elections at these centres, including the use of body cameras for police and the installation of CCTV cameras.”
He also stressed the need for effective monitoring of the CCTV footage.
“Judicial and executive magistrates are typically deployed during elections. The meeting addressed the issue that judicial magistrates often lack adequate training in election matters. Instructions were given to ensure their proper training and preparation for the polls,” he added
The press secretary further said that, in the past, law enforcement agencies were deployed for four days around the election period. This time, discussions were held about extending deployment to seven days to help prevent unrest before and after the polls and to maintain post-election law and order.