February election: Govt to buy 40,000 body cameras for police to bolster security
Authorities have approached three companies from Germany, China, and Thailand to supply the cameras
Highlights
- Govt to buy 40,000 police bodycams for February polls
- Decision made at meeting chaired by CA Muhammad Yunus
- Cameras to be procured by October for police training
- Three companies from Germany, China, Thailand approached
- Election app to give info, updates, and allow complaints
The interim government is set to procure at least 40,000 body cameras for police to bolster security at polling centres during the upcoming 13th general election in February next year.
The decision was discussed yesterday (9 August) at a high-level meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, chaired by Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus, according to a statement shared on the official Facebook page of the chief adviser this morning (10 August).
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Home Adviser Lt General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the Chief Adviser's Special Assistants Khuda Baksh Chowdhury and Faiz Taiyeb Ahmad were also present at the meeting.
Faiz said the procurement process for the 40,000 body cameras, commonly known as bodycams, was in its final stage. He noted that the devices would enhance security in thousands of vulnerable polling centres.
"We are aiming to procure the bodycams by October so police officers can receive adequate training on their key features, including AI capabilities," he said.
Authorities have approached three companies from Germany, China, and Thailand to supply the cameras.
Police officers and constables will wear the devices on their chests while on election duty.
CA Yunus instructed officials to expedite the procurement process and ensure proper training for thousands of police personnel.
"We must guarantee complete security at all polling centres, no matter the cost. Our goal is to make the February election the most free, fair, and peaceful in the country's history," he said.
During the meeting, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on Telecommunications and ICT Affairs also announced plans to launch an Election App for the upcoming vote.
The app will provide comprehensive information on the election, including candidate details, updates on voting booths, and interactive features for submitting complaints.
The Chief Adviser urged officials to fast-track the app's launch and ensure it is user-friendly for the country's more than 100 million voters.
