The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has identified 37 polling stations across the capital as “high-risk” ahead of the upcoming national elections. This designation forms part of a comprehensive security strategy aimed at ensuring safe, orderly, and transparent voting.
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali stated that these centres will be subject to enhanced security measures, including the deployment of body-worn cameras and an increased police presence. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, 9 February, at the DMP Media Centre, he outlined the force’s election security arrangements under the theme “DMP Security Management for Elections and Referenda.”
According to Commissioner Ali, a total of 1,614 critical polling stations across Dhaka will each have four police officers on duty, while 517 standard polling centres will be staffed by three officers each. The 37 high-risk centres will receive seven officers each, all equipped with body cameras to allow live monitoring during polling hours.
The Commissioner further confirmed that all 25,000 DMP personnel have undergone specialised election security training. In addition, rapid-response units, bomb disposal squads, and K9 teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergencies.
Additional officials present at the briefing included Additional Police Commissioner Sarwar (Admin) and S.M. Nazrul Islam. Commissioner Ali expressed confidence that these measures, combining meticulous planning and advanced security protocols, would guarantee a peaceful and transparent voting process.
The DMP’s polling station deployment plan is summarised in the table below:
| Polling Centre Type | Number of Centres | Police per Centre | Special Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Centres | 1,614 | 4 | Body cameras at selected centres |
| Standard Centres | 517 | 3 | Standard monitoring |
| High-Risk Centres | 37 | 7 | Body cameras and enhanced monitoring |
These security arrangements extend across all 20 parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka, from Dhaka-1 to Dhaka-20. Commissioner Ali emphasised that police officers are authorised to intervene directly in the event of violence or security threats.
Through this extensive combination of planning, training, and surveillance, the DMP aims to conduct a fully transparent and secure election in the capital. The initiative reflects the force’s commitment to electoral responsibility and the protection of citizens’ voting rights.