Ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12, the government has started deploying 1,051 executive magistrates across the country from today.
In addition to the magistrates, members of the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies are being reinforced as part of heightened security measures. These forces will remain deployed until February 14 to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud disclosed the information to journalists on Saturday. He said the army had already been stationed in different areas and would receive further reinforcements starting Sunday. According to him, the armed forces will officially stay on duty for seven days before and after the election.
“We have held coordination meetings with all law enforcement agencies. They have confirmed that the overall law and order situation is satisfactory and suitable for holding the election,” Masud said.
He also mentioned that ballot boxes have already been sent to all districts and are now being received by returning officers. Final preparations for voting are currently underway nationwide.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive outlining the deployment of police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), and the Coast Guard to ensure a free, fair, and orderly election. Members of the armed forces will assist civil authorities in maintaining stability.
Official figures indicate that more than 970,000 personnel from various security agencies will be involved in election duties. This includes 576,483 members of Ansar and VDP, 103,000 army personnel, 5,000 navy members, 3,730 air force personnel, 37,453 BGB members, 3,585 Coast Guard personnel, 187,603 police officers, 9,349 RAB members, and 45,820 village guards and dafadars.
The directive further noted that the army, BGB, Coast Guard, RAB, police, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), and Ansar Battalion will operate as mobile and strike forces in election areas. While BGB, RAB, APBn, and Ansar Battalion units will work at district, upazila, and police station levels, the Coast Guard will focus on coastal regions.
All deployed forces will work under the supervision of the respective returning officers and follow their instructions throughout the election period.
