Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and concurrent referendum, the Bangladesh Police have implemented a comprehensive three-tier security framework, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Police Headquarters Media Centre on 10 February, the IGP outlined the extensive measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful and secure polling process.
“The security framework has been structured into three layers: central, mobile, and striking forces,” IGP Alam stated. “In total, 187,603 police personnel are actively deployed to maintain law and order across the country.”
In addition to police personnel, the security apparatus includes contributions from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Ansar forces, reflecting a coordinated inter-agency effort to safeguard the electoral process.
Highlighting the vulnerability assessment of polling stations, the IGP noted that 24,000 centres nationwide have been identified as high-risk. Of these, 8,770 are considered particularly sensitive. Enhanced monitoring will be conducted at these locations using both CCTV and body cameras, ensuring real-time supervision.
He emphasised that any incident of violence at a polling centre would prompt immediate intervention. “If necessary, polling at the affected centre, or even for the entire constituency, could be temporarily suspended to prevent escalation,” he added.
The IGP also addressed concerns regarding looted firearms. According to police records, 1,330 weapons remain unaccounted for, while thousands more looted at the individual level have yet to be recovered. He reassured the public that no aspect of security is being overlooked. “Every element has been carefully considered while formulating our security plan,” he said.
Key Security Figures for Upcoming Election
| Security Aspect | Figures / Details |
|---|---|
| Total police personnel deployed | 187,603 |
| High-risk polling centres | 24,000 |
| Particularly sensitive centres | 8,770 |
| Inter-agency support | Army, Navy, Ansar |
| Monitoring measures | CCTV, body cameras |
| Looted firearms pending recovery | 1,330 (officially recorded) + thousands more |
IGP Alam concluded by underlining that the three-tier security approach is designed to ensure both voter safety and the integrity of the election process. The multi-layered strategy reflects lessons learned from previous elections, aiming to mitigate risks proactively rather than reactively.
With polling day approaching, authorities are urging citizens to participate in a peaceful manner while trusting the robust security arrangements put in place to protect them.