The 13th National Parliamentary Election is approaching. The security table has already been finalized by law enforcement. This is the first time that the police personnel in charge of polling stations have body-orn cameras. The official campaign for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum ended at 7:30 am on Tuesday (10 February).
According to the provisions of the Election Commission (EC), the election campaign must end 48 hours before the start of voting. Accordingly, the election campaign is over. At the same time, all preparations are underway for voting. Army and Executive Magistrate teams are already on the ground.
In the upcoming elections, 1,126 out of 2,881 constituencies in 19 constituencies of Sylhet Division have been identified as vulnerable. However, the local administration said it has decided to deploy additional members of the law enforcement agencies at these centres. Besides, all polling stations in the division will be covered by CCTV cameras. Adequate security arrangements have been made at each centre.
It has been reported that there are 2,881 constituencies in 19 constituencies of Sylhet Division. Of these, 1,016 are in Sylhet, 664 in Sunamganj, 647 in Habiganj and 554 in Moulvibazar. Of these, 217 are at risk in 6 constituencies in Sylhet, 451 in 5 constituencies in Sunamganj, 235 in 4 constituencies in Habiganj and 223 in 4 constituencies in Moulvibazar.
Risk 217 out of 1026 Sylhet
There are 1,016 seats in 6 constituencies in Sylhet for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections and referendum. Of these, 217 centres have not undergone any renovations.
The different upazila centres in Sylhet include two in Bianbazar, four in South Surma, 12 in Fenchuganj, 46 in Gowainghat, 50 in Kanaighat, one in Companyganj, 45 in Sadar, 9 in Jakiganj, 24 in Jaintapur and 24 in Balaganj upazila.
Meanwhile, Sylhet city has 294 centres. Of these, 95 centres have been identified as vulnerable. Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, media officer of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said there are a total of 294 polling stations in the city. Members of different law enforcement agencies, mobile teams and striking forces will be deployed at the polling stations. Adequate security measures have been taken.
Risk 451 out of 664 in Sunamganj
There are a total of 664 polling stations in the five parliamentary constituencies of Sunamganj in the 13th parliamentary elections. More than half of the polling stations in the seat have been identified as vulnerable. According to the district election office, out of 12 upazilas of 5 parliamentary constituencies in the district, 89 are at risk.There are also 157 remote centres and 242 risk centres. There are no high-risk centres in Jamalganj of Sunamganj-1 constituency, Biswambharpur of Sunamganj-4 constituency and Dwarabazar upazila of Sunamganj-5 constituency. The district returning officer said there will be increased monitoring at the high-risk centres.
According to the overall data of the Upazilawari polling station of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, 38 out of the four upazilas of Sunamganj-1 constituency are at high risk.There are no high-risk centres in Jamalganj. There are 83 remote centres and 77 at risk. In two upazilas of Sunamganj-2, there are 12 high-risk centres, 30 inaccessible centres and 37 at-risk.
In two upazilas of Sunamganj-3 constituency, 20 high-risk centres, 14 inaccessible centres and 59 at-risk. In two upazilas of Sunamganj-4, there are 10 high-risk centres, 12 inaccessible centres and 38 at-risk. In two upazilas of Sunamganj-5, there are 9 high-risk centres, 18 inaccessible and 31 at-risk centres.
All administrative preparations for the elections have already been completed. About 1,100 members of the Army's two heroic battalions and an engineer battalion will be deployed in 12 upazilas of the district to ensure overall security of the election. They will be mainly engaged in patrolling and disciplining outside polling stations and at important points.BGB will have two platoons in each upazila of the district. Each platoon will typically have 20-30 members. However, this number may be slightly higher in special needs or at risk centres.
The police, Ansar and village police will also work to ensure free and fair elections. Of these, 3,500 will be policemen, 12,000 will be Ansar and VDP, and 1,200 will be village policemen. Besides, Rab, intelligence agencies members and executive magistrates will also be deployed all the time to patrol the polling stations and adjoining areas. The situation will be monitored through special surveillance and mobile teams in at-risk areas.
Risk 235 out of 647 in Habiganj
Members of the law enforcement agencies, including election officials, are busy preparing at the last minute to complete all the formalities already done around the 13th parliamentary election. Meanwhile, the administration has published a list of 235 at-risk centres in 4 constituencies of Habiganj. Of these, 103 centres have been identified as at-risk. Members of the law enforcement are spending a lot of time making safety belts at risk centres. In the meantime, many forces are also completing their exercises.
According to reports, there are a total of 647 polling stations in 4 constituencies in the district. There will also be 4 more postal polling stations separately. And 2067 police officers will be on duty at these centres. There will also be 55 mobile teams, 9 strike forces, 2 quick response teams and 13 Ansar members each at each centre. Meanwhile, BGB is focusing on risky centres including border areas of the district. 17 platoons of BGB will be deployed in the district. The Army and Rab members will also perform their duties.
Risk 223 out of 554 in Moulvibazar
There are 554 polling stations in four constituencies of Moulvibazar. These include 80 high-risk and 143 high-risk polling stations. These centres will have body-worn cameras from the law enforcement side. In addition, additional monitoring will be carried out. According to Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police, there are 331 normal centres. There will be body-worn cameras in the centres that are riskier and more vulnerable. In addition, two members of the law enforcement force will be extra.
