Faridpur: Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has issued a stern warning that strict measures will be implemented against election officials and law enforcement personnel if irregularities, such as ballot box snatching or fake voting, occur during the upcoming 13th national election.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury delivered this warning while addressing a law and order coordination meeting organized by the Faridpur District administration. The meeting, held at the District Commissioner’s office, was aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of the election and referendum.
In his address, the Home Adviser assured that the election would be conducted in a free, fair, impartial, and festive manner, emphasizing that unprecedented preparations have been made. He outlined three distinguishing features of this election compared to previous ones: the deployment of the maximum number of law enforcement personnel, extensive training of the forces, and the widespread use of modern information technology.
Chowdhury also mentioned the use of body-worn cameras, CCTV, and drones to ensure transparency, alongside the Election Security App developed by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC). This app will be activated when presiding officers and Ansar members set out for polling stations with election materials.
Officials have been instructed to ensure the installation of CCTV at every polling station and to construct boundary walls where necessary, even using bamboo if required. Chowdhury emphasized strict security during the transportation of ballot boxes after voting and called for the presence of candidate representatives and adequate law enforcement during the counting of postal ballots.
Furthermore, Chowdhury directed that reserve law enforcement forces be kept ready from dawn on election day until the completion of vote counting and result publication. He stressed that arrangements for food and logistics must be ensured, while firmly warning that no officer should accept money, food, or any undue benefit from candidates or their representatives.