76% of polling centres in Ctg marked risky; CCTV, body-worn cameras to boost security
Seventy-one platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the Chattogram Metropolitan area.
As the 13TH national election and the referendum approach, the authorities have identified nearly 76% of polling centres in Chattogram district as risky, forcing them to take extensive security measures.
Seventy-one platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the Chattogram Metropolitan area and the district to address potential threats. The administration has also decided to install CCTV cameras at all polling centres, while members of law enforcement will use body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and accountability during voting.
According to data provided by law enforcement agencies, out of 1,965 polling centres in the district, 655 have been classified as "highly risky" and 836 as "risky". In total, 1,491 centres, 75.87% of all polling stations, fall under the risk category.
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Sitakunda–Pahartali most vulnerable
The Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda–partial Pahartali) constituency has been identified as particularly sensitive, with 48 out of 124 polling centres marked as highly vulnerable. In Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), 41 of 112 centres have been flagged as risky. The two seats are considered strongholds of the Jamaat-Shibir.
Thirty centres in Chattogram-5 (Hathazari and a few wards of the city corporation) and 25 centres in Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali and parts of the city) have been placed under heightened surveillance due to security concerns.
'Impenetrable' security measures underway
As part of election-time security preparations, regular BGB patrols have been going on in key areas of the district in coordination with the local administration since Friday.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Mahamudul Hasan, director (operations) of the BGB Chattogram region, said the patrols aim to maintain overall law and order and ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election through coordinated security measures.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner and also Returning Officer Jahidul Islam Miah said special attention has been given to remote and risky polling centres.
"All centres will have CCTV cameras and police body-worn cameras this time. This means no one can commit an offence and get away with it," he said.
The DC added that BGB, the Army, and Ansar forces have been deployed in significantly higher numbers compared to previous elections.
"We hope voters will be able to cast their ballots in a festive and secure environment," he said.
Centre-based security teams
Highly vulnerable centres will have armed police officers, Ansar members, section commanders, village police, and additional personnel assigned to protect presiding officers.
General centres will also have structured deployments, including armed Ansar members, assistant section commanders, and male and female Ansar personnel.
Extra vigilance in remote areas
Panchhari, Mahalchhari, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Ramgarh, Guimara, Lakshmichhari, Khagrachhari Sadar, Dighinala, Naniarchar, Barkal, Baghaichhari, Rangamati Sadar, Rajasthali, Longdu, Kaukhali, Kaptai, Jurachhari, Bilaichhari, Thanchi, Rowangchhari, Alikadam, Naikshangchhari, Bandarban Sadar, Ruma, Lama, Sandwip, Ukhiya, and Teknaf, have been considered remote areas in the elections.
Highly risky polling centres in these areas, three-armed policemen, a general Ansar VDP member led by a section commander with weapons, an Ansar member with weapons for the security of the presiding officer, an Ansar VDP member led by an assistant section commander with weapons, 10 Ansar members, including four women and six men, and two village police will be deployed.
