The identification of 37 polling stations in Dhaka as vulnerable ahead of the national election is a reminder that ensuring safety at every voting centre is a fundamental requirement for the national election.
If voters do not feel safe at the stations, especially while exercising their most basic civic right, the legitimacy of the entire process is compromised.
Safety at polling stations means protecting voters from intimidation, maintaining order without bias, safeguarding electoral materials, and ensuring that every eligible voter can participate without concerns or fears. Therefore, certain stations being flagged as “vulnerable” indicates that there are still gaps in our preparedness.
The responsibility for safety lies with the state, but it also involves political parties, community leaders, and citizens themselves.
Political actors must commit to non-violence and respect for the rule of law. Law enforcement must act impartially and proactively to prevent clashes, not just respond after they occur. Polling agents and volunteers should be trained with clear guidelines on conduct and emergency protocols.
Our nation's trust in elections is currently fragile, and any sense of insecurity at polling sites, even if just a handful of locations, will spread anxiety and affect turnout, perception, and confidence in the outcome of the process.
Bangladesh has made promising strides in strengthening its electoral processes, but during this sensitive season, the focus must be on ensuring that safety is a core part of election planning. Every polling station must be a place where citizens can vote with dignity and peace of mind.
The measure of a mature democracy is not just whether it holds elections fairly, but whether it protects the conditions under which citizens can freely and safely participate in them.
