The environment for holding the general elections on Sunday is better than other times with law enforcement agencies having taken full preparations and all out security measures.
Inspector General of Police, Mohammad Javed Patwary, after a recent meeting with the Election Commission told journalists that law enforcement is well prepared to ensure a peaceful environment for the polls.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, while talking to reporters on Christmas Eve, said they are carefully ensuring security at polling centres, and also security measures before and after voting as well. Police and the Armed Forces are on the move so that no one is victimized while going to and returning from the polling booths on Sunday.
Police sources said they have already made a constituency wise security plan and have identified about 64 percent of the centres as risky. They have taken measures according to the plan to ensure fair elections.
They have kept a vigilant eye so that no militant organization creates any untoward situation or launches attacks which will spoil the election atmosphere.
According to the plan, around 6,oo,ooo law enforcement agencies including 1,23,000 policemen will carry out their duties at the field level, and around 50,000 police officials will be involved in election-related activities.
The country has been divided into eight electoral zones so that the duties of high-level police officers can be well coordinated to maintain the law and order situation and keep the election atmosphere smooth for voting.
A total of 2,226 mobile police teams have been working across the country to provide security during the elections. Law enforcement personnel have been deployed at each centre. A strike force of about 768 teams has also been arranged for the purpose.
A total of 1,016 platoons comprised of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Army, and Navy have been carrying out their duties.
Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Benazir Ahmed, on Thursday said, about 10,000 officials will operate in the field during Sunday’s election.
“The Election Commission has given permission to use helicopters. Four helicopters will be arranged, of which two army helicopters will be kept ready, in Dhaka, to attend to spot violence if that occurs in any part of the country,” the DG said.
Law enforcement agencies are also strictly monitoring all social media including Facebook, so that social media rumours cannot destabilize the elections .
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry, Ministry of Information, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), RAB and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and Special Cyber Security Teams are monitoring social networking sites including Facebook round the clock.
Police headquarters has been asked to call 999 about any rumours or sabotage issues. Meanwhile, RAB’s cyber news verification centre will be working to prevent false propaganda from being spread over social media.
Police sources said a constituency wise list has been prepared with the names of terrorists, extortionists, and bombers who might attack or fire at polling centres, so that action can be taken immediately.
Police Headquarters Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sohel Rana told the Dhaka Tribune that the police have taken every necessary measure according to the law to ensure a safe atmosphere and peaceful election program. Wherever there is law enforcement, necessary measures will be taken in the interest of public safety and to maintain law and order.
