Election saboteurs will face severe consequences: RAB DG

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman has warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the upcoming election, cast fake votes, snatch ballot boxes, attack polling centres, or create post-election sabotage will face serious risks.

He made the remarks this afternoon (11 February) while briefing journalists at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government High School centre in the capital on RAB's nationwide special security arrangements.

Addressing reporters, he said: "You may ask whether there are risks in this election. Of course there are risks, why wouldn't there be? But I believe the risks lie with those who will try to disrupt the election, cast fake votes, snatch ballot boxes, or attack polling centres. They will face severe risks."

"If they refuse to accept the election results and attempt to create sabotage or disorder, we will take the strictest possible action. We will not hesitate. The risks are for those who break the law. We have no risk, because we will work in accordance with the law," Shahidur added.

He said RAB has been working to ensure a fair election and maintain law and order since before the election schedule was announced.

As part of its mandated duties of recovering illegal firearms and arresting criminals, operations have been intensified over the past one and a half to two months. "Numerous weapons have been recovered, including a large cache seized in Cumilla yesterday, with more recovered in different regions today," he added.

The DG said preparations for election day are complete. "RAB will operate as striking and mobile teams, deployed across all 64 districts and metropolitan areas."

He added that adequate post-election measures are in place and expressed hope that the polls would be conducted peacefully and fairly.

Asked about militant threats, he said there is no such threat, though RAB remains on alert.