Making the polls 'perfect' is now the main challenge: CA Yunus

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that ensuring a "perfect" election is now the main challenge, as he reviewed preparations, security deployment and potential challenges for the upcoming national election at a high-level meeting.

He also commented that the overall election environment so far, the conduct of political parties and the government's preparations have been satisfactory.

The remarks were conveyed by Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a press briefing at CA's residence Jamuna today (7 February), following a high-profile meeting chaired by Yunus on election preparedness.

Shafiqul Alam said Yunus noted that election preparations have been progressing in a highly satisfactory manner so far. "Political parties are disciplined. No one is using abusive language against others. There is no unruly behaviour. Considering our political history and culture, the preparatory phase has gone very well. Our challenge now is to make the vote perfect," he said.

The press secretary added that technology-based measures have been prioritised to ensure voting security this time. Of the nearly 42,779 polling centres nationwide, police officers at 25,700 centres are being equipped with body-worn cameras. A live demonstration of the cameras' operations was also presented at the meeting. The chief adviser randomly spoke directly with personnel on duty in various remote areas of the country.

He further said that the "Election Security App" has been fully launched and will be used exclusively by election officials and security forces. In the event of irregularities or violence at or around any polling centre, the app will instantly relay information to the Election Commission, returning officers and security agencies, enabling swift intervention.

Regarding security deployment, Shafiqul Alam said nearly 9 lakh security personnel will be engaged during the election. Among them, 1,08,885 members of the Army, Navy and Air Force have already been deployed. About 1,57,000 police personnel and 5,67,866 members of the Ansar force are being deployed in phases, while the Coast Guard and RAB are also on standby.

Citing Election Commission data, he said voting will take place in 299 constituencies. The total number of voters exceeds 12.77 crore, including 6.48 crore men, 6.28 crore women and 1,232 third-gender voters. More than 4,22,000 postal ballots sent to voters living abroad have already arrived in the country.

Shafiqul Alam said, "We expect women to come to vote with their families in a festive atmosphere. Our goal is to make this election safe, participatory and memorable."

He also said a hotline, 33333, has been launched to receive any election-related complaints or information.