United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Police have taken comprehensive security measures for the national election considering past experiences as per the government directives and suggestions from different stakeholders, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said on Tuesday. He made the remarks at a press briefing held at the Police Headquarters Media Centre on Abdul Gani Road in the capital. The IGP said all necessary measures have been taken from the police side to ensure that voting is held in a peaceful and festive manner. He said static police forces will be deployed at all 42,779 polling centres across the country. Besides, mobile police teams will be responsible for patrol and management while striking police forces will be deployed at various locations to deal with any emergency situation, said the IGP. About the use of technology in election security, the IGP said, under the initiative of the Election Commission, CCTV cameras have been installed in about 80 to 90 percent of polling centres through returning officers. From the police side, body cameras will be used at risky polling centres. Besides, superintendents of police will use drone cameras available to them based on capacity and necessity. The IGP said a total of 157,805 police personnel will be engaged in ensuring election security. Of them, 93,191 will be deployed as static forces at polling centres while the rest will perform duties as mobile and striking forces, he said. Apart from this, 29,798 police personnel will remain deployed at police stations across the country for various election-related support activities. A total of 187,603 police members will be deployed under the police security plan, IGP Baharul said. He also said that following the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs, licensed firearms are being deposited. Police to maintain neutrality, professionalism in national election: IGP So far, 27,995 licensed firearms have been submitted to police stations. Besides, members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar will also take part in ensuring election security, he said. Ansar is the largest contingent deployed for election duty, numbering around six lakh members, he added. Coordination and control of all forces are being carried out through the offices of returning officers and assistant returning officers. Referring to the overall situation since the announcement of the election schedule, the IGP said that some tension and violence are seen every year during elections. According to police statistics, from December 11 to February 9, a total of 317 violent incidents occurred across the country, leaving 603 people injured and five killed. “We consider even a single death unfortunate. We always try to ensure that no death occurs. Still, throughout history, every election in our country has seen casualties. This time, we made our utmost efforts to reduce such incidents as much as possible,” the IGP said.

Police have taken the highest security measures surrounding BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s rally in Jashore, with a three-tier security system in place, officials said on Sunday. “A three-tiered security system has been arranged at the rally venue, and more than 500 police members will remain on duty round the clock,” said Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam at a press briefing held at the Jashore Upashahar College Ground, the rally venue, on Sunday afternoon. He said that among them, 100 police personnel will be equipped with body-worn cameras. Vote for BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ against autocracy: Tarique Rahman The police superintendent said a two-tier special security arrangement has been taken from the helipad, where Tarique Rahman will land by helicopter, to the rally venue. A two-tier security ring will also be set up around the stage, he added, noting that along with uniformed police, members of the Detective Branch (DB) and District Special Branch (DSB) will remain on round-the-clock surveillance. Special vigilance will be maintained as there are large trees around the venue to ensure that no miscreants can take position there, he said. SP Rafiqul Islam said discussions have been held with district BNP leaders and activists, who have assured full cooperation with the police. Regarding traffic management, he said five designated parking areas have been fixed in different parts of the city. No vehicles other than VIP vehicles will be allowed to enter the rally venue, and an adequate number of traffic police will be deployed. He said body cameras are being used for the first time by police in view of the upcoming 13th national elections, so that the activities of any miscreant can be recorded even if they manage to flee after committing a crime. More than 100 police personnel deployed at the rally will use body-worn cameras, he added. The police superintendent also said the 13th national elections will be held on February 12, and police are working relentlessly to ensure a fair, peaceful and orderly election. BNP Chairman will leave Dhaka for Khulna by helicopter at 11:00am on Monday, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Tarique Rahman urges ‘Yes’ vote in referendum He said the BNP chief is scheduled to join an election rally at 12:00 noon at the Prabhati School ground adjacent to Haji Mohsin College in Khulna. Tarique will then leave Khulna for Jashore by helicopter at 1:00pm, Sayrul said. He said the BNP chairman will address another election rally at 1:40pm in Jashore. Tarique is expected to leave Jashore for Dhaka by helicopter at 2:40pm.