National election: Final security preparations underway as polling centres await voting
With voting scheduled for tomorrow (12 February), the administration, election officials, law enforcement agencies and representatives of contesting candidates remained busy with last-minute preparations.
On the eve of the national election, polling centres across the capital and other key areas were marked by heightened security and last-minute logistical preparations, as authorities moved to ensure voters could cast their ballots in a safe and orderly environment.
With voting scheduled for tomorrow (12 February), the administration, election officials, law enforcement agencies and representatives of contesting candidates remained busy with last-minute preparations.
At the entrances of polling centres, a strong presence of law enforcement was clearly visible. Alongside police, members of Ansar and other auxiliary forces were deployed to patrol surrounding areas and monitor entry points to prevent any disorder or unwanted incidents.
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An officer on duty told The Business Standard that their primary objective was to ensure that voters can enter polling centres without fear and cast their votes peacefully. "Additional personnel have been deployed based on centre-specific risk assessments."
Outside Azimpur Government Girls' School and College polling centre, an army member named Rabbi said, "We are trying to provide maximum security. We have patrol teams in place and are closely monitoring the area to ensure no disruption occurs."
Inside the centres, the level of preparation was equally evident. CCTV cameras have been installed at key locations, including entrances, corridors and areas adjacent to polling rooms, bringing the entire premises under surveillance.
At around 5:30pm, visits to several polling centres including Ayub Ali Government Primary School, Government Laboratory High School and College and City College in Dhaka-10 constituency, as well as Lalbagh Govt Model School And College and Azimpur Govt. Girls' School & College in Dhaka-7 and Eskaton Garden High School in Dhaka-8, showed election materials being arranged under the supervision of law enforcement personnel.
To maintain law and order, police and Ansar members were seen deployed at polling centres, while patrol teams from the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Detective Branch (DB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were monitoring overall security arrangements.
Help desks have been set up at one side of the polling centres to provide information to voters. New voters or those unsure about their booth numbers will be able to check voter lists there.
Volunteers said providing accurate information helps reduce confusion and crowding, ensuring a more orderly voting process.
Presiding officers appeared particularly busy, carefully checking all voting materials, including ballot papers, seals, registers, forms and security supplies.
Saeed Mohammad Nazmul, an assistant presiding officer at the Dhaka College polling centre, told TBS that election management is a coordinated process where even a small mistake can lead to major complications. "That is why everything is being checked in advance to ensure there are no disruptions on polling day," he said.
Polling agents of candidates were also seen visiting the centres to familiarise themselves with their positions, review rules and coordinate with election officials. Their presence is considered an important element in ensuring transparency, as they observe the process on behalf of candidates and report any irregularities immediately.
Outside the centres, voters expressed interest, expectations and some curiosity. Some visited early to observe the environment to avoid any hassle on voting day.
Sakib, a voter from Dhaka-7 constituency, said he hopes to vote in a peaceful environment.
Mahin, a young voter from Dhaka-10, said, "If security is ensured, people are not afraid. Everyone wants the vote to feel like a festival."
