Barishal: Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury affirmed the government’s readiness to conduct the upcoming national elections in a fair and peaceful manner, with a substantial deployment of approximately nine lakh law enforcers across the country. “Preparation is well enough to hold the next parliament election in a free, fair, peaceful, impartial and festive manner,” he stated after a law and order meeting held at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Home Adviser emphasized the importance of cooperation from all parties involved to ensure a peaceful and festive election process. He highlighted that government staff, including local administration, are working impartially to facilitate the smooth conduct of the elections. The security plan includes the deployment of one lakh army members, 1.5 lakh police personnel, around six lakh Ansar and VDP members, five lakh each from the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard, 37,000 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, and 10,000 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel.
Additionally, the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will also participate in maintaining law and order. The Home Adviser pointed out the strategic deployment of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard personnel in remote riverine areas of the Barishal division to ensure security. In response to demands, 35 speedboats have been allocated to address any immediate security concerns.
For polling centers identified as risky, additional forces will be deployed, supported by the use of body-worn cameras, CCTV cameras, dog squads, and drones. The Surakhya App will remain operational throughout the election period, following its successful role in ensuring peaceful religious celebrations, such as the Sharadiya Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja across the country. The Home Adviser expressed confidence in the app’s continued efficacy in maintaining peace during the elections.
The meeting was attended by the Home Secretary, chiefs of all forces, the Barishal divisional commissioner, range DIG of police, deputy commissioners, police superintendents, and other concerned officials, reflecting a unified approach towards ensuring secure and impartial elections.