25,000 police to be deployed in Dhaka for election security

Law enforcement agencies are preparing an unprecedented security operation for polling centres in Dhaka ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

Around 25,000 police officers will be deployed at 2,131 polling centres across the capital. Four control rooms will also be set up in key areas of Dhaka to monitor the overall situation on election day.

According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, DMP, polling centres have been classified as important and general based on security risks. A total of 1,828 centres have been marked as important, while 303 have been classified as general.

Three armed police officers will be assigned to each important centre, while two armed officers will guard each general centre. Where multiple centres operate at a single venue, five armed officers will be deployed. Every police officer on duty at polling centres will carry firearms.

Alongside police, each polling centre will have 10 Ansar members and one assistant section commander, all armed. One additional armed Ansar member will be assigned to ensure the personal security of each presiding officer.

A coordination meeting on election security, police deployment and vehicle management was held at the DMP headquarters under the chairmanship of DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali. Senior police officials and a representative from RAB attended the meeting.

Police sources said Dhaka is being given the highest priority because a large number of foreign observers and both local and international journalists will be based in the capital. The overall credibility of the election will largely depend on the situation in Dhaka.

Fifteen special venues have been selected in the city to store and transport election materials. Ballot papers and boxes will be distributed from these points and returned after voting. Around 3,000 vehicles will be requisitioned to transport election materials and police personnel.

Law enforcers will also take strict action against any violation of the electoral code of conduct, with executive magistrates authorised to take immediate measures.

RAB will support police in maintaining outer-perimeter security, with six RAB teams assigned to each DMP crime division. Mobile patrol teams and striking forces will also remain active.

Meanwhile, members of police, BGB, Ansar and VDP, and the Coast Guard will remain on duty nationwide from February 8 to February 14 for the election and referendum, according to a circular from the Ministry of Home Affairs.