The government has put in place extensive security and administrative measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly national election, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday, highlighting the unprecedented scale of law enforcement deployment across Bangladesh.
Speaking after a law-and-order coordination meeting of the Barishal Division at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy auditorium, the Home Adviser said preparations are on track to conduct the election in a calm and celebratory environment with full neutrality from state agencies.
Nearly nine lakh members of various security forces will be deployed nationwide during the election period, reflecting what he described as a comprehensive approach to safeguarding voters, polling centres and election materials.
According to the Home Adviser, the security arrangement will include around one lakh army personnel, 1.5 lakh police members, nearly six lakh Ansar and VDP members, alongside personnel from the Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will also assist in maintaining order.
Special emphasis has been placed on Barishal’s riverine and remote areas, where the Navy and Coast Guard have already increased patrols to prevent any disruption. To ensure rapid response, 35 speedboats have been deployed - more than double the initial requirement raised by local authorities.
The Home Adviser said additional security forces would be stationed at sensitive polling centres, supported by modern surveillance tools including body-worn cameras, CCTV systems, drones and dog squads.
He also noted that the Surakhya App will remain operational throughout the election period to enable real-time reporting and response. The digital platform, he said, previously contributed to maintaining law and order during major religious events involving tens of thousands of venues nationwide.
Reiterating the government’s position, Jahangir Alam said all officials involved - particularly those in the local administration -have been instructed to act impartially and professionally.
Senior officials, including the Home Secretary, chiefs of the armed and law enforcement agencies, the Barishal Divisional commissioner, deputy commissioners and police superintendents, attended the meeting.
