Extensive Security Measures in Sylhet Polling Centres

In anticipation of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the simultaneous referendum, authorities in Sylhet district have implemented extensive security arrangements across all polling centres. The district administration, in close coordination with law enforcement agencies, has undertaken comprehensive preparations to ensure that voters can cast their ballots safely and without disruption. Of the total 1,016 polling centres in the district, 198 have been designated as particularly critical.

Electoral materials distribution commenced on Wednesday, 11 February, from midday. For the Sylhet-1 constituency, materials were delivered from the Government Women’s College centre and the Sadar Upazila centre, while for other constituencies, distribution was handled through the respective upazila offices.

According to law enforcement sources, Sylhet district comprises a total of 722 polling centres, of which 294 are located within Sylhet city. Portions of the Sylhet-1 and Sylhet-3 constituencies in the city fall under the jurisdiction of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, while the remaining four constituencies are supervised by the district police.

Mohammad Saiful Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, stated that among the city’s 294 polling centres, 95 are classified as highly critical, 134 as important, and 65 as general. Each centre will be protected not only by police personnel but also by mobile teams and rapid response units.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Samrat Talukdar, Assistant Superintendent of Sylhet District Police (Media), confirmed that of the 722 centres across the district, 103 are considered important and 619 are general. Full preparations have been made to ensure the security of voters at every location.

District Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Sarwar Alam supervised the distribution of electoral materials. He noted that each highly critical centre will be staffed with three police officers and 13 Ansar personnel. Additionally, approximately 42,000 voters are registered for postal ballots, of which 36,000 have already been distributed.

Special measures have also been implemented to safeguard minority communities. The Returning Officer emphasised that the administration is fully committed to ensuring what is expected to be the most peaceful and transparent election in the district’s history.

The table below summarises the classification of polling centres in Sylhet:

These comprehensive security measures are expected to not only safeguard voters but also uphold the credibility and transparency of the electoral process in Sylhet.