198 polling centres marked risky out of 1,016 in Sylhet

Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, final preparations are being completed under tight security in Sylhet.

Presiding officers and election officials have already departed for their respective polling centres with ballot papers, ballot boxes and other election materials.

A total of 1,016 polling centres with 5,787 polling booths have been set up across six constituencies in Sylhet district for the election to be held on Thursday, February 12. Law enforcement agencies have identified 198 centres as highly important or risky.

The district has a total of 2,916,579 voters, including 1,498,953 men, 1,417,610 women and 16 third-gender voters. According to the returning officer’s office, a total of 33 candidates, including party-backed and independent contenders, are contesting in the six constituencies.

To ensure a peaceful and fair election, members of the army, BGB, RAB, police and Ansar have been deployed in large numbers. CCTV cameras have been installed at important polling centres and market areas, while drones will be used to monitor the situation.

A total of 47 executive magistrates have been deployed across the six constituencies, with judicial magistrates also remaining active in the field.

Distribution of election materials began at around 11am on Wednesday from Sylhet Government Women’s College in the Chouhatta area for Sylhet-1 constituency. Returning officer and deputy commissioner Md Sarwar Alam formally inaugurated the process.

Speaking to journalists, Sarwar Alam said all preparations had been completed to ensure voting in a peaceful, neutral and transparent environment. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to violate election laws.

He also said around 42,000 voters had registered for postal ballots, of which 36,000 ballots had already been received.