Preparations complete for 13th national elections in Jashore
All preparations have been completed in Jashore for the 13th National Assembly elections, with authorities expressing confidence that the election will be held in a free, fair and impartial manner.
A total of 2,471,908 voters are expected to cast their ballots across six constituencies in the district. Of them, 1,238,906 are male, 1,232,977 are female, and 25 belong to the third gender. Voting will take place in 824 polling stations comprising 4,679 booths.
Distribution of polling materials began this morning (11 February) from the offices of the Assistant Returning Officers. Presiding officers and other polling officials have already left for their respective centres after receiving the necessary equipment.
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According to the District Election Office, 824 presiding officers, 4,679 assistant presiding officers and 9,358 polling officers will conduct the election process.
Security has been significantly strengthened across the district. CCTV cameras have been installed in all 824 polling stations — a first for Jashore. Of the total centres, 302 have been identified as "important," including 71 categorised as "very important." Police personnel deployed at the "very important" centres will be equipped with body cameras.
The highest number of important centres is in Jashore-5 (Manirampur upazila), where 93 of 128 centres have been marked as important. Jashore-1 (Sharsha upazila) follows, with around half of its 102 centres designated as important.
Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam said that 13 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed at each polling station. Each team will include three police personnel, while three armed police members will be stationed at important centres.
Additionally, more than 200 striking forces will be deployed across the district, supported by mobile courts led by judicial magistrates until February 16.
Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Ashek Hasan said over 15,000 officers and personnel will be engaged in election duty and security arrangements.
In addition to 11 executive magistrates from Jashore, 40 more executive magistrates have been sent from Dhaka.
A total of 12 judicial magistrates — two for each constituency — will also oversee the process.
Members of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be deployed as part of the striking forces to maintain law and order during the election.
