1,400 polling centres in 13 Dhaka constituencies marked risky: Divisional Commissioner

A total of 1,400 polling centres across 13 constituencies in Dhaka have been identified as risky ahead of the upcoming thirteenth national parliamentary election and referendum, divisional commissioner and returning officer Sharfuddin Ahmed Chowdhury has said.

He disclosed the information at a briefing on overall election preparations in Dhaka on Wednesday, February 11.

Sharfuddin said the Dhaka divisional commissioner’s office has completed all preparations for the election, and voting materials will reach polling centres through presiding officers by this evening.

The returning officer said there is no security threat so far and authorities are not feeling any pressure. However, 52 complaints of election code violations have been received so far, all of which have already been resolved.

Referring to the 1,400 risky centres in the 13 Dhaka constituencies, he said a higher number of law enforcement personnel will be deployed there compared to other centres. In addition, mobile courts will operate in Dhaka on Thursday under the leadership of 80 executive magistrates and two judicial magistrates. Members of police, RAB, BGB and the army will remain ready to take swift action in case of any untoward incident.

Sharfuddin also said 90 percent of polling centres in Dhaka will be covered by CCTV. Besides, two Ansar members equipped with body-worn cameras will be on duty to upload real-time footage.