All polling centres in 13 constituencies marked as highly risky

The 13th National Parliamentary Election is knocking on the door. Law enforcement agencies have made maximum security preparations across the country ahead of the elections to be held on February 12. In the meantime, a joint assessment by the Special Branch (SB) of the Police, intelligence agencies and police headquarters has identified all polling centres at least 13 parliamentary constituencies in different regions of the country as 'highly risky'.

In addition, 8,746 polling stations across the country have been listed as 'highly risky' and another 16,359 as 'risky'. Another 85 constituencies have been identified as 'generally risky'.

The intelligence report said that violence and tension are expected in these constituencies in this election due to political rivalry, past history of violence, head-to-head battles between influential candidates and active grouping at the local level.

The 13 most risky constituencies:
According to the special branch of the police and intelligence report, the highly risky constituencies are Pabna-1, Pabna-3, Khulna-5, Patuakhali-3, Barisal-5, Tangail-4, Sherpur-3, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-15, Cumilla-4, Cumilla-11, Noakhali-2 and Noakhali-6.

The Election Commission has ordered the deployment of additional police, RAB, BGB and Ansar in these constituencies, as well as keeping the striking force and reserve team ready.

Division-wise scenario in the 13th National Parliament Electio
Rangpur Division: Several constituencies in Rangpur Division are on the risky list. These include Rangpur-4, Rangpur-5, Thakurgun-1, Thakurgaon-3, Kurigram-2, Panchagarh-1 and Nilphamari-1, Nilphamari-2, Joypurhat-1 and Lalmonirtat-3. These areas have a history of electoral violence and party conflicts in the past. More than a hundred polling stations have been identified as risky in various upazilas of the division.

Rajshahi Division: Rajshahi-2 and Rajshahi-4, Naogaon-4, Naogaon-5 and Bogura-4, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7, Sirajganj-1 and 2, Pabna, 3 and Natore-1 and 3 constituencies of Rajshahi division are at risk. According to the intelligence report, more than a hundred polling stations in this division are at risk, where there is a risk of center capture and clashes. Almost all the centers in Rajshahi and Bogura cities are at risk.

Dhaka Division: The risk is most widespread in Dhaka division. Almost half of the polling stations in Dhaka metropolis are considered risky or very risky. In terms of seats, the largest number of seats among the eight divisions are at risk in Dhaka division. The risky seats include Dhaka-1, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-12, Dhaka-15, Dhaka-19 and Dhaka-20. Besides, Tangail-1, 2 and 4, Faridpur-4, Faridpur-5, Rajbari-1, Madaripur-1, Narayanganj-3, Narsingdi-4, Manikganj-2 and Gopalganj-1 constituencies are also on the risky list. The activity of political activists and supporters and the history of past clashes have increased the risk in the capital area.

Mymensingh Division: In Mymensingh division, Mymensingh-4, Mymensingh-10, Netrokona-4, Kishoreganj-5, Kishoreganj-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies have been identified as risky. Some polling stations are being kept under special surveillance due to intense competition between influential candidates here.

Khulna Division: The risky constituencies in Khulna Division include Khulna-2, Khulna-5, Satkhira-1 and 3, Bagerhat-2, 3 and 4, Kushtia-3, Kushtia-5, Chuadanga-2 and Chuadanga-3 and Jhenaidah-1. There are concerns about the security situation in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections in this division due to influential candidates, extremist dominance and border areas.

Barisal Division: In Barisal Division, Barisal-5, Patuakhali-2 and 3, Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2 constituencies are risky. Some coastal and remote polling stations have been classified as 'highly risky', where it has been decided to deploy additional security. Communication and security management has emerged as a major challenge here due to the river and coastal areas.

Sylhet Division: The risky constituencies in Sylhet Division include Sunamganj-2, Habiganj-3, Habiganj-4, Moulvibazar-1, Sylhet-2 and Sylhet-5. The report mentions that in addition to political rivalry, tensions related to expatriate voters in some areas are also increasing the risk.

Chattogram Division: The number of risky constituencies in Chittagong Division is relatively high. These include Cumilla-4, Cumilla-6, Cumilla-7, Cumilla-11, Brahmanbaria-1, 3, 4 and 5, Feni-2, Noakhali-2, Noakhali-3, Noakhali-6, Lakshmipur-3 and Chittagong-3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14 and 15. The police report mentions that intense political rivalry and remote polling stations have made many constituencies in Chattogram Division risky.

Reasons for increasing the risk
Political researcher Dr. Shahiduzzaman told Views Bangladesh that the main factors that pose risks in the upcoming elections in the country are intense political competition, Awami League boycott, past violence, tendency to clash between support groups, remote and communication-problematic polling stations, and excessive pressure on security forces in a short time. In addition, the desperate tendency of the parties participating in the elections to win has put the elections at risk overall. However, although the large number of risky centers is a big challenge for fair election management, the responsible behavior of political parties and conscious participation of voters can play an important role in ensuring a violence-free election.

Law enforcement preparedness
Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, told Views Bangladesh that additional police, RAB, BGB, Ansar have been deployed in risky and highly risky centers.

In addition to the deployment of the mobile team, quick response unit and mobile courts led by magistrates will be active.

He said, "We are not only increasing manpower in risky areas, but also giving utmost importance to intelligence surveillance and quick response systems. We hope that this time there will be a fair and peaceful election."