Rangpur: The police administration has devised a comprehensive six-tier security strategy to avert any disturbance during the forthcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and Referendum, scheduled for February 12, 2026, across the Rangpur division. A total of 4,546 polling centers have been set up to accommodate 1.34 crore voters across 33 constituencies. Out of these, 2,561 centers have been deemed risky, with 827 identified as highly risky. Extra precautions will be taken, particularly in char areas, isolated regions, and centers near candidates’ residences.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, additional surveillance measures include deploying law enforcement personnel equipped with body-worn cameras across all constituencies in the eight districts of the division. The Rangpur District Police Superintendent, Marufat Hussaine, emphasized the deployment of police at 669 centers under the district’s jurisdiction to ensure a peaceful election. Mobile teams, striking forces, and sector divisions will be stationed outside polling centers to safeguard voters, candidates, and election equipment.
The Rangpur district comprises 873 polling centers, with 216 classified as risky by law enforcement. Specific security arrangements have been made for these high-risk areas, including duty assignments in 204 centers. The district will also see 30 mobile patrol teams and 78 striking reserve forces on election duty. The total voter count in the district is 25,99,202, including 31 transgender voters. Voting will occur across 4,988 booths in 873 centers, with 44 candidates vying for positions in this election.
The Bangladesh Army’s 66th Infantry Division Commando Group stands ready to manage any volatile situations in Rangpur. In remote areas, helicopters will be deployed if chaos arises. Furthermore, 3,000 BGB members have been positioned in four districts to maintain peace and order. The BGB’s Rangpur Sector Commander, Colonel SM Shafiqur Rahman, confirmed the deployment of 74 platoons in 26 base camps, focusing on providing security at risky centers and conducting search activities.
Alongside the police and BGB, RAB, Ansar, and Village Defense Party members are bolstering security measures across Rangpur. Past incidents of polling station seizures, clashes, and intimidation have prompted special plans to uphold law and order at the 2,561 risky polling centers. CCTV cameras are being installed, and additional armed police and Ansar-VFP members are being deployed.
Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam stated that the police would perform their duties with utmost caution at risky centers, with additional police and live monitoring of body-worn cameras to ensure a peaceful election and referendum in the division.