Violence during campaign threatens election-day security as police keeps high-risk centres under watch

With the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum just two weeks away, the country is on edge as campaigning intensifies. Clashes among political supporters have erupted from Dhaka to the districts, fuelling fears that polling day could spiral out of control.

In the first week of campaigning from 22 January, at least 25 clashes were reported nationwide – mostly between BNP and Jamaat-led 11-party supporters – leaving more than 200 people injured and at least one dead.

Last Wednesday, a violent confrontation between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Sherpur killed Jamaat leader Maulana Rezaul Karim and injured over 50 others. In Dhaka, NCP leaders Nasiruddin Patwari and Ariful Islam Adib were also attacked while campaigning.

Political violence has not been limited to campaigns alone. In the lead-up to the election, incidents have already caused injuries and deaths. 

Police Headquarters data from 12 December to 26 January records 144 election-related violent incidents, including 55 clashes between party supporters, 11 cases of intimidation or aggressive behaviour, six attacks on candidates – two involving illegal firearms – and six cases of direct threats.

The data also includes 17 incidents of obstructing campaigning, eight attacks on election offices, 10 blockades or protests, one attack on minority communities and 24 other violent incidents. Four people were killed during this period, including Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

High-risk polling centres

The Election Commission and Police Headquarters have identified more than 25,000 high-risk polling centres out of 42,779 nationwide, including 8,780 highly important centres, 16,548 important centres and 17,433 general centres. In Dhaka alone, 1,614 of the city's 2,131 polling centres have been classified as risky.

A police intelligence report warns that all 300 constituencies face potential unrest due to the presence of illegal firearms. It also flags the risk of disruption through misinformation campaigns on social media and AI-driven platforms.

Internal divisions within major political parties and the presence of multiple candidates pose risks in 144 constituencies – 65 due to extreme political conflict and 79 because of rival candidates within the same political camps.

The report further identifies risks in 26 constituencies linked to the influence of former Awami League activists, 10 affected by extremist or armed groups, 55 involving minority and small ethnic community issues, 13 linked to armed hill-tribe groups, 33 due to geographic vulnerabilities, and 27 related to minority oppression.

It notes that during past credible elections in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008, constituencies where the Awami League consistently won were often targeted by attempts to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Concerns persist amid extensive preparations

To ensure a free, fair and impartial election, the interim government has rolled out extensive security preparations, deploying law enforcement alongside body-worn cameras, CCTV systems, drones and dog squads, with special surveillance at high-risk polling centres.

Police sources said 25,500 body-worn cameras and 500 drones will be used at the most vulnerable centres. Although 40,000 cameras were initially planned, the number was later reduced. Of those deployed, 15,000 will livestream directly, while nearly 10,000 will operate offline, with footage reviewed when necessary.

The heaviest camera deployment will take place in Gopalganj, Madaripur, Faridpur and Shariatpur, where intelligence reports warn of possible voter intimidation aimed at preventing voters from reaching polling centres. 

In total, 943,050 security personnel will be deployed nationwide, including 150,000 police officers, more than 100,000 army personnel, over 5,000 navy members, more than 3,500 air force personnel, 576,000 Ansar and Village Defence Force members, over 37,000 Border Guard Bangladesh personnel, more than 3,500 Coast Guard members, over 7,500 RAB personnel and 13,390 Fire Service members.

Despite these measures, concerns persist. An additional superintendent of police from the Chattogram Range, speaking anonymously, said available camera coverage amounts to only about half of what is required, while police morale has yet to fully recover, raising concerns over election-day security involvement.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam acknowledged that election-related violence is not new in Bangladesh; however, expressed confidence in voter protection. "We are prepared for political pressure, vandalism or muscle power and will act using legal tools," he said, adding that even if voting is suspended at some centres, the election will proceed nationwide.

Candidates urge stronger law enforcement

Ariful Islam Adib, NCP and 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-18, told The Business Standard that attacks on NCP leaders are not isolated incidents but signal attempts to seize polling centres and influence voting. "The administration is being forced to take sides even before playing a neutral role," he said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the overall stability of the election depends on the conduct of law enforcement agencies, the government, the Election Commission and the administration. He stressed that those disrupting the peaceful environment must be brought under the law.

Calling the Sherpur violence unfortunate, Rizvi said that despite administrative warnings, a rival organisation deliberately provoked unrest. He emphasised that a credible election is impossible without holding perpetrators accountable.

Expert calls for coordinated security framework

Retired Major General Dr Naim Ashfaq Chowdhury said pre-election instability significantly heightens election-day risks, though not all violence is politically motivated. "Many incidents stem from personal interests. Security risks are closely linked to social and economic factors," he said.

He urged law enforcement agencies to be more proactive and to rehearse polling-day operations in advance, saying this would signal to potential saboteurs that disruptions will not be tolerated. He also stressed integrating the judiciary into the security framework, warning that if arrested criminals secure quick bail, disorder will persist.

"Those detained before the election must not be released ahead of polling," he said, adding that coordinated security measures could ensure a credible and fear-free election.