Over 2.4 million voters poised as Jashore prepares for elections

All preparations have been completed in Jashore ahead of the 13^th National Assembly elections, with authorities expressing confidence that the polls will be conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner.

A total of 2,471,908 voters are expected to cast their ballots across six constituencies in the district, comprising 1,238,906 men, 1,232,977 women, and 25 voters of the third gender. Voting will take place at 824 polling stations, consisting of 4,679 booths.

Distribution of polling materials began on Wednesday morning from the offices of the Assistant Returning Officers. Presiding officers and other polling officials have already departed for their respective centres after receiving the necessary equipment.

According to the District Election Office, 824 presiding officers, 4,679 assistant presiding officers, and 9,358 polling officers will oversee the election process.

Security has been significantly strengthened across the district. CCTV cameras have been installed in all 824 polling stations — a first for Jashore. Of the total centres, 302 have been identified as “important”, including 71 designated as “very important”. Police personnel deployed at the “very important” centres will be equipped with body cameras.

The highest number of important centres is in Jashore-5 (Manirampur Upazila), where 93 of 128 centres have been marked as important. Jashore-1 (Sharsha Upazila) follows, with around half of its 102 centres designated as important.

Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam said that 13 members of law enforcement will be deployed at each polling station. Each team will include three police personnel, while three armed officers will be stationed at the important centres.

Additionally, more than 200 members of the striking forces will be deployed across the district, supported by mobile courts led by judicial magistrates until 16 February.

Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Ashek Hasan said over 15,000 officers and personnel will be engaged in election duty and security arrangements. Alongside 11 executive magistrates from Jashore, 40 more have been deployed from Dhaka.

A total of 12 judicial magistrates — two for each constituency — will also oversee the process. Members of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be deployed as part of the striking forces to maintain law and order during the election.