Naogaon: All preparations have been completed in the district for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliament elections, officials said on Wednesday. Election materials have already been dispatched to polling centers from the offices of the respective Upazila Assistant Returning Officers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, around 15 types of equipment, including ballot boxes, ballot papers, seals, pads, and indelible ink, were distributed from the concerned upazila parishad premises starting at 10:00 am. Presiding officers, accompanied by police and Ansar members, transported the materials to polling stations under strict security.
The District Election Office reported that a total of 32 candidates from various political parties are contesting in six parliamentary constituencies in the district. There are 782 polling stations with a total of 2,329,592 registered voters. Law enforcement agencies have categorized 364 polling stations as important or sensitive, with additional security measures taken at these centers. Members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the army will be deployed to ensure overall security.
Naogaon Sadar Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Ibnul Abedin confirmed that all necessary election materials have been distributed under tight security arrangements. Security at polling stations has been strengthened, and for the first time, presiding officers will have armed bodyguards. Additionally, BGB and army personnel have been deployed across the district.
Superintendent of Police Tariqul Islam stated that 364 polling centers have been identified as important and general. Of these, 255 centers will be equipped with offline body-worn cameras, while another 109 important centers will have online body-worn cameras functioning like CCTV systems, monitored from a central control room. Over 2,000 police personnel will be deployed for the elections and referendum.
Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Saiful Islam mentioned that voting will take place in all 782 centers across the district. CCTV cameras have been installed at important centers, and law enforcement personnel are already in the field. Executive magistrates are also conducting field-level supervision to ensure a peaceful polling process.