Dhaka: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General (DG) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui has announced that the BGB is fully prepared to perform its responsibilities to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and impartial National Parliament Election. He made this statement during a coordination meeting on law and order and the security situation at Shahparirdwip in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, senior officials from the local administration, Bangladesh Army, Navy, Police, RAB, Ansar and VDP, Bangladesh Coast Guard, DGFI, NSI, and officers from all levels of the BGB in the Cox’s Bazar region attended the meeting. The BGB DG emphasized that they will execute their election duties as a professional, disciplined, and politically neutral force.
The DG stated that BGB will collaborate closely with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that voters can exercise their rights in a safe and peaceful environment. He informed that over 37,000 BGB members will be deployed in 489 out of 495 upazilas nationwide, with BGB alone responsible for duties in 61 border upazilas.
In addition to the deployment, considering overall risk assessments, BGB members will be positioned as both mobile and static forces in 300 parliamentary constituencies. The BGB chief highlighted that all necessary training, special briefings, and instructions on legal duties, code of conduct, and STX exercises have been completed to prepare BGB members for their election-related responsibilities.
Special emphasis has been placed on maintaining professionalism, restraint, and lawful conduct in addressing any emerging situations. To handle emergencies, arrangements have been made for the use of BGB helicopters, Quick Response Forces (QRF), Rapid Action Teams (RAT), K-9 dog squads, drones, and body-worn cameras.
Highlighting the importance of Cox’s Bazar as a major tourist hub and its 271-kilometer border with Myanmar, the BGB DG noted that heightened vigilance has been ensured to prevent smuggling, illegal infiltration, and drug and arms trafficking. He also mentioned that potential security risks related to the Rohingya presence have been taken into special consideration.
Expressing optimism, he stated that the upcoming 13th national parliament election will be held peacefully and credibly through the combined efforts of the government, Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the public. He reaffirmed that BGB will continue to discharge its constitutional and legal duties with honesty, dedication, and professionalism.