Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the simultaneous national referendum, Dhaka has been placed under the highest level of security on Thursday. Authorities have mobilised an extensive presence of law enforcement and armed forces to ensure smooth and safe voting across the city.
Voting commenced at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m. Observers at several key polling stations, including Dhaka Residential Model College, Mohammadpur Government Physical Education College, and Capital High School on Manik Mia Avenue, reported a visible and firm presence of security personnel.
At Dhaka Residential Model College, officials confirmed that a total of 13,884 registered voters, both men and women, are eligible to cast their ballots.
Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Muhammad Talebur Rahman, stated that a total of 26,515 law enforcement personnel have been deployed across Dhaka. This contingent comprises members of the military, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar forces.
According to the latest data from the Election Commission, nationwide deployment includes 919,350 law enforcement personnel, among whom 103,000 are from the armed forces. On election day, 657 judicial magistrates and 1,047 executive magistrates are assigned to monitor polling centres, ensure law and order, and address any violations.
The following table outlines the voter registration and security arrangements at some of Dhaka’s key polling stations:
| Polling Station | Registered Voters | Security Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Residential Model College | 13,884 | Army and Police Patrols |
| Mohammadpur Government Physical Education College | 11,230 | RAB and Police Patrols |
| Capital High School, Manik Mia Avenue | 9,765 | RAB and Police Patrols |
The comprehensive security measures aim to create a safe environment for voters. Both law enforcement officers and magistrates are actively monitoring each polling station to guarantee that the parliamentary election and the parallel referendum proceed peacefully and without disruption.
Authorities emphasised that rapid response teams have been strategically positioned to respond to any unforeseen incidents, ensuring that citizens can exercise their democratic rights in a secure and orderly manner. Citizens were encouraged to comply with all safety protocols while participating in the electoral process.