Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, law enforcement agencies are rolling out unprecedented security measures at polling centers across Dhaka city. Nearly 25,000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure security at the capital’s 2,131 polling stations. In addition, four central control rooms will be set up at key locations in Dhaka to monitor the overall situation on election day.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), polling centers in the capital have been classified into two categories based on security risk: “important” and “general.” Of the total centers, 1,828 have been identified as important, while 303 are considered general. Each important polling center will be guarded by three armed police personnel, while two armed police officers will be assigned to each general center. If multiple polling centers operate within a single venue, five armed police members will be deployed there. Every police officer assigned to polling duty will be equipped with firearms.
Alongside police, Ansar members will also be responsible for security at each polling center. A total of 10 Ansar members, along with one Assistant Section Commander-level Ansar personnel armed with weapons, will be deployed per center. Additionally, one armed Ansar member will be assigned to ensure the personal security of the presiding officer at each polling station.
A coordination meeting focusing on election security preparations, police deployment, and traffic management was held at the DMP headquarters. The meeting was chaired by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sazzat Ali and attended by deputy commissioners from DMP’s eight crime divisions, senior traffic officials, and a representative from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Police sources said that Dhaka’s polling centers are being given the highest priority, as a large number of foreign election observers, along with domestic and international media personnel, are expected to remain in the capital. The overall assessment of how free, fair, and credible the election is will largely depend on the situation in Dhaka, prompting enhanced security measures across the city.
For the storage and transportation of election materials, 15 special venues have been designated in Dhaka. Ballots, ballot boxes, and other necessary materials will be dispatched from these venues to polling centers and returned after voting concludes. Police also plan to requisition around 3,000 vehicles for transporting election materials and deployed personnel.
Law enforcement agencies will take a strict stance against violations of the election code of conduct on polling day. If any candidate or their supporters breach electoral rules, on-duty executive magistrates will take immediate action.
Outside polling centers, RAB will work in coordination with the police to maintain security. Six RAB teams will be deployed in each of DMP’s eight crime divisions, while police mobile teams and striking forces will remain active throughout the city.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Nazrul Islam said the coordination meeting focused on police deployment at polling centers, vehicle requirements, and the overall security plan.
Meanwhile, across the country, members of law enforcement agencies will remain on duty for seven consecutive days surrounding the election and referendum. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and VDP, and the Coast Guard will be deployed nationwide from February 8 to February 14.
DMP sources further confirmed that four central control rooms are being established at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Mirpur Public Order Management Office, the Gulshan diplomatic zone, and the Uttara area. In addition, eight sub-control rooms will operate from DMP’s eight crime divisions to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the overall situation.
