Troops of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been instructed not to use lethal weapons while performing duties during the upcoming national election. BGB Dhaka Sector Commander Colonel SM Abul Ehsan shared the information at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday.
He said more than 37,000 BGB members have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order during the polls, alongside their regular responsibility of guarding the country’s 4,427-kilometre border. The deployment aims to ensure a free, fair, neutral and credible election.
According to a press release from the BGB media wing, BGB members will carry out election duties in 489 of the country’s 495 upazilas. In 61 border upazilas, BGB will have sole responsibility for election security. Across all 300 parliamentary constituencies, BGB personnel will operate as both mobile and static forces, with two to four platoons deployed per upazila based on risk assessment.
In the Dhaka sector, battalions under Dhaka (5 and 26 BGB), Narayanganj (62 BGB) and Gazipur (63 BGB) will cover nine districts and four city corporations, spanning 51 constituencies. A total of 134 platoons will operate from 42 temporary base camps, supported by K-9 dog squads for search and screening operations.
Col Ehsan said BGB is strictly following directives from the government and the Election Commission and will remain politically neutral to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Regular patrols and intelligence surveillance are being carried out in coordination with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a fear-free voting environment.
To strengthen transparency and efficiency, BGB members will use body-worn cameras, night-vision devices, metal detectors, armoured personnel carriers and modern communication equipment during election duties. Special monitoring cells have also been set up at battalion and sector headquarters to oversee the situation round the clock.
He added that BGB personnel have received specialised training to handle election-related responsibilities professionally. Addressing security concerns, Col Ehsan said no specific threats have been identified so far.
“Following the directive of our director general, BGB will not use any lethal weapons while maintaining law and order during the election,” he said.
For emergencies, Rapid Action Teams, Quick Response Forces and BGB helicopter units will remain on standby throughout the election period. On polling day, BGB members will conduct patrols, set up checkpoints at key locations and carry out searches to prevent any attempt to disrupt the election.
