BGB to be deployed in 489 upazilas; no lethal weapons to be used

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed nationwide from today (2 February) to help maintain law and order during the 12 February national election. More than 35,000 BGB personnel will be on duty across the country to ensure a free, fair and peaceful polling environment, the force said.

 Shariful Islam, public relations officer at BGB Headquarters, told The Business Standard that a total of 1,210 BGB platoons have already been deployed across all 64 districts since Monday. In several districts, BGB members have begun setting up base camps. 

According to BGB officials, extensive arrangements have been made to ensure voters can cast their ballots freely and without disruption. While maintaining full security along Bangladesh's 4,427-kilometre border, the BGB will simultaneously perform election duties across most parts of the country.

Of the country's 495 upazilas, BGB personnel will be deployed in 489. In 61 border upazilas, the force will have sole responsibility for election security. Based on risk assessments, the BGB will operate as both mobile and static forces in all 300 parliamentary constituencies, with two to four platoons deployed in each upazila depending on local conditions.

To respond to any emergency during the election period, BGB's Rapid Action Teams (RAT) and Quick Response Forces (QRF), supported by helicopters, will remain on standby for swift deployment. Security measures will also be strengthened through the use of specialised K-9 dog squads, officials said.

To further strengthen security, the BGB has intensified border surveillance and conducted regular election drills and equipment-based training for personnel under the Dhaka Sector. Drones will also be used to monitor election-related activities, Arafat said.

"Depending on the risk level of polling centres, BGB will operate as both mobile and static forces. Between two and five platoons will be deployed in each upazila," he said, adding that a Quick Response Force would remain on standby to deal with any emergency.

On 31 January, the BGB briefed the media on its security preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, announcing the nationwide deployment of their personnel. The briefing was held at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur, following inspections of several election base camps in the capital by Colonel SM Abul Ehsan, sector commander of the BGB's Dhaka Sector.

No lethal weapons to be used

Colonel SM Abul Ehsan said the BGB would not use any lethal weapons while performing election duties. Speaking at the Mirpur press conference, he said the force would remain completely neutral and work to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

Responding to a question on possible security risks, Colonel Ehsan said, "So far, we do not see any specific threat surrounding the election. The BGB director general has instructed us clearly that no lethal weapons will be used to maintain law and order during the polls."

He added that the BGB is strictly following all directives issued by the government and the Election Commission. "We are fully prepared to perform our duties with political neutrality and to ensure equal opportunity for all contestants," he said.

To ensure voters can exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation, the BGB is coordinating closely with other law enforcement agencies, while regular patrols and intelligence surveillance continue at the field level, Colonel Ehsan said.