National polls: Army to be redeployed to high-risk districts where police need support
The law enforcement agencies have been instructed to ensure complete neutrality during the elections
Districts where police superintendents consider their forces self-sufficient in maintaining law and order will not require joint force deployment during the national elections, with army personnel redirected to higher-risk districts.
The decision was made today (27 October) during a crime review meeting at the police headquarters with senior police officers, unit heads, and district superintendents, who participated online, meeting sources said.
A northern district superintendent of police told The Business Standard that some changes will be made in army deployment at the field level before the elections.
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"In districts where the police feel self-sufficient, joint forces will not be deployed. Army personnel from those areas will be sent to more risky districts," he said, adding that the field assessment of district police superintendents will guide all decisions.
After the meeting, several superintendents of police told TBS that they were instructed not to issue any new firearm licences ahead of the elections.
They said joint forces will assist where superintendents in border districts request support to prevent illegal arms entry.
Strong action was also called for recovering firearms looted in past incidents, including during the July Uprising, said the officers.
According to meeting sources, instructions were also given to ensure complete neutrality in the elections. Police were ordered not to provide any additional benefits to potential candidates, even if multiple candidates from the same party are contesting in a district.
Several officers said that strict adherence to these directives could help ensure a smooth and fair election process.
At the meeting, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bangladesh Baharul Alam described the upcoming elections as a challenge for the police, but also an opportunity to restore public trust.
The meeting was attended by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, SB Chief Md Golam Rasul, additional IGs, police commissioners, and range DIGs, with all district police superintendents joining virtually.
Additional IG (Crime and Operations) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam presented an overview of the law-and-order and crime situation across the country, warning of potential election-related violence and clashes.
The IGP directed police to intensify efforts to recover looted weapons, expand intelligence gathering, and publicise rewards announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs for recovered firearms.
He also stressed the importance of thorough election training for all officers to ensure preparedness.
