National polls: Nearly half of Sirajganj polling stations declared 'risky'

Ahead of the 13th national parliament election, 459 out of 923 polling stations in six constituencies of Sirajganj district have been identified as risky.

Of these, 178 polling stations have been classified as highly risky, while 281 have been marked as risky, according to the Special Branch of the district's Superintendent of Police (SP) Office.

The SP office said strict security measures, including enhanced surveillance, are already in place at these polling centres. Sources said the remaining 464 polling stations have been listed as general centres.

Saiful Islam Santu, the district's superintendent of police, said polling centres located in char and remote areas of the district have been inspected in phases.

On Saturday, polling stations in the char areas of Chauhali upazila were inspected throughout the day. In addition, officers-in-charge of police circles and police stations are inspecting polling centres within their respective jurisdictions, he said.

The SP added that initiatives have also been taken to install CCTV cameras at polling stations to strengthen security.

Meanwhile, the district administration is intensifying its voter awareness campaign ahead of the election.

At district, upazila, union, and ward levels, information offices, upazila administrations, local government departments, and non-governmental organizations are holding courtyard meetings, exchange meetings, and documentary screenings. Exchange meetings are also being organised with imams and khatibs of mosques.

Upazila nirbahi officers are supervising these activities, while 17 executive magistrates have been deployed to enforce the election code of conduct and conduct mobile court operations.

Six additional deputy commissioners, including the deputy director of the Local Government Department, have been appointed to receive complaints related to the overall election situation.

Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Aminul Islam said directions are being issued regularly to district- and upazila-level officials through Zoom meetings and video conferences to review the progress of the election campaign.

He added that CCTV cameras will be monitored round the clock at polling stations on election day.

He further said all necessary security measures, including strict vigilance, are being taken at polling centres in char areas.

There are a total of 923 polling stations in six constituencies in Sirajganj district, with 26,86,858 registered voters.

The district administration has already taken comprehensive measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.