CA orders police, BGB, Ansar to complete election preparation by December

Highlights:

• 8 lakh security personnel to be deployed
• 17,000 new personnel to be recruited across security forces
• 2 lakh screened election observers
• Police to use body cams, CCTV surveillance
• DCs, SPs, OCs, and UNOs to be transferred
• Proposal to create separate booths and voter lists for 18-33 age group 
• 16,000 polling centres marked vulnerable

Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus has ordered police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar to complete all types of preparations by December this year for the next national election.

The CA's Press Wing shared the development at a press conference, which started at 8pm, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today (9 July).

CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the CA held an important meeting earlier this evening with the home affairs adviser, national security adviser, and heads of various law enforcement agencies including police, BGB and Ansar.

"Two possible dates for the election were mentioned. The first half of April or before Ramadan if all preparations are complete and reforms are in place," he said.

According to the Press Wing, the key decisions taken in the meeting include recruitment of 17,000 people in various forces focusing on the election.

Around 8,00,000 security personnel will be deployed nationwide on election day, including 5,70,000 Ansar, 1,41,000 police, as well as personnel from BGB, Coast Guard, and other forces. Police officers will be assigned from one station to another in an effort to prevent local bias or influence at polling centres.

To ensure smooth electoral proceedings, law enforcement agencies will receive intensive training, focusing on non-partisan law enforcement and peaceful conduct during the election period. Special emphasis will be placed on preparing security personnel to uphold peace and fairness throughout the electoral process.

Approximately 2,00,000 election observers will monitor the polls, with strict screening to ensure no party-affiliated individuals are enlisted as observers.

Plans for rehearsal elections to identify and correct operational flaws ahead of the official vote have also been made. Strict enforcement of the law by law enforcement agencies in the coming months leading to the election will also follow.

Internet connectivity will remain active on election day, enabling real-time monitoring and reporting. Control rooms will be established at district and upazila levels to coordinate election-related activities.

On the technology front, presiding and polling officers will be provided with training to ensure they are well-versed in handling election technologies. 

Discussions are also underway to assess the feasibility of maintaining separate polling booths and voter lists for voters aged between 18 to 33 years, to streamline the voting process and increase youth engagement.

Among the 47,000 polling centers, 16,000 have been identified as vulnerable and will receive special security attention.

Instructions have been given to equip police officers with body cameras and to ensure that every polling centre falls under CCTV surveillance. Additionally, officials have been asked to undergo training to ensure proper monitoring of these CCTV systems.

Directives have been issued to provide training to executive magistrates and judicial magistrates to prepare them for election duties.

Previously, police or security forces were deployed for four days during elections. Now, it has been proposed to extend this deployment to seven days to prevent any pre-election violence, ensure smooth conduct of the polls, and maintain law and order even after the election.

Instructions were also given to transfer deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), officers-in-charge (OCs), and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) before the election. These transfers will be carried out in a randomised manner.