An intelligence report cites seventeen polling centres as vulnerable in the Narayanganj 5 by-election to be held on June 26.
It also views 23 persons, accused of various cases, as potential saboteurs of the election, an Election Commission officer told the Dhaka Tribune, seeking anonymity.
The report fears that BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami men might, posing as supporters of any of the four election candidates, try to enter polling centres and to create problems to ensure the deterioration of law and order during the election.
It has asked for increased vigilance on BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists, particularly so that they cannot cause violence during the election.
Independent candidate SM Akram, Jatiya Party candidate Salim Osman, Krishak Sramik Janata League candidate Shafiqul Islam Delowar and independent candidate advocate Mamun Sirajul Majid are contesting in the by-election.
However, the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and even the Awami League, the ruling party, have not fielded any candidate in the election.
The Election Commission official said the report had also suggested that concerned authorities take actions such as arresting the potential poll saboteurs and increasing number of law enforcers at the vulnerable polling centres.
Senior Assistant Secretary Farhad Hossain sent the intelligence report to the senior secretary of home ministry, inspector general of police, Narayanganj deputy commissioner, returning officer and superintendent of police to enable them to take action.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said the Narayanganj 5 by-polls area was sensitive and so the relevant authorities had been asked to take special steps to maintain law and order during the election.
The Narayanganj 5 constituency accounts for 3, 42, 405 voters, of whom 1, 74, 311 are male and 1, 68, 094 female. They will cast their votes from 141 polling centres.
Voters, according to an Election Commission press release, will be informed of their voter serial numbers and polling centre names through mobile SMS and the Election Commission’s website.
