In anticipation of the 12th national election scheduled for 7 January, the police force has orchestrated a robust security blueprint encompassing electoral candidates, voters, and officials. A staggering 174,000 policemen will be strategically positioned nationwide to guarantee the election’s impartiality and safety.
As per insights from police headquarters, this formidable security force collaborates with the armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Armed Police Battalion (APBN), and Ansar, ensuring seamless coordination to fortify security protocols. Notably, BGB, RAB, APBN, and Coast Guard units are already mobilized as a proactive response team.
Election responsibilities for the police personnel span five days, encapsulating two days pre and post-voting. Anwar Hossain, the deputy inspector general (DIG-operations) at the police headquarters, elucidated that of the 174,000 officers, 80,000 are actively engaged, while the residual 94,000 will be deployed three days antecedent to the election. Dhaka alone will witness the deployment of 24,000 officers, overseeing pivotal tasks such as safeguarding election offices, escorting ballots, and fortifying polling stations.
The security blueprint reveals 42,249 polling stations distributed across 300 constituencies within 64 districts, with 10,300 earmarked as susceptible. At the district level, polling stations will be fortified by 14-15 security personnel, escalating to 16-17 for vulnerable stations, including a mix of police and Ansar members.
Metropolitan areas, encompassing Dhaka, will feature 15 security personnel per polling station, amplifying to 16 for vulnerable locations. Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Biplab Kumar Sarkar, confirmed the proactive deployment of 24,000 policemen in Dhaka to ensure an unblemished electoral process, with a segment already initiated their election-centric duties.
