The Election Commission (EC) has brought over 90% of polling centers in 299 constituencies under CCTV surveillance, marking an unprecedented level of election security Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12.
In addition, 958,000 members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide to maintain law and order.
Election Commissioner Brig Genl (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah shared the information at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Nirbachon Bhaban, Dhaka.
Sanaullah said the deployment includes 2,098 executive magistrates and 657 judicial magistrates working in the field. “Never before in Bangladesh has such a large force and level of capacity been deployed,” he said. “There is no reason to worry about any untoward incidents surrounding the election. Even if isolated incidents occur, we are fully prepared to handle them.”
He added that drones and body-worn cameras will be used in sensitive areas, with final camera figures to be announced on Wednesday. Law enforcement agencies have recovered 850 firearms since December 13, many of which were believed to have been stockpiled for election-related sabotage.
Reassuring the public, Sanaullah said authorities remain ready to respond to any isolated incidents. Voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on Thursday in 299 of the 300 constituencies due to the death of a candidate in one seat. On polling day, the EC will brief the nation on the overall situation through press conferences every two hours.
