Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) has been instructed not to use lethal weapons while performing security duties during the country’s national election and referendum, senior officials have said.

More than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed across the country to help maintain law and order during the polls, while continuing to safeguard Bangladesh’s 4,427-kilometre border, according to sources at BGB headquarters.

Officials said the deployment is aimed at ensuring voters can cast their ballots in a safe and uninterrupted environment.

The BGB will take part in election-related duties in 489 of the country’s 495 upazilas. In 61 upazilas located along the border, the force will operate independently in managing election security.

Based on risk assessments, BGB personnel will be deployed as both mobile and static units across all 300 parliamentary constituencies, with between two and four platoons assigned to each upazila.

To respond to any emergency during the election period, specialised units, including the Rapid Action Team (RAT), helicopter-supported Quick Response Force (QRF) and K-9 dog squads, will remain on standby.

Talking to reporters on Saturday at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur, Dhaka Sector Commander of BGB Colonel ASM Abul Ehsan said a clear directive from the BGB Director General prohibits the use of lethal weapons during election duties.

Regarding concerns about border security, Colonel Ehsan said the force had planned its deployment in a way that would ensure election responsibilities were met without weakening border protection.

He said sufficient personnel would remain stationed in sensitive areas, including along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border, to protect national sovereignty.

Colonel Ehsan said BGB would coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies and local election officials to ensure security coverage in remote and char areas, so that no location is left unattended.

When asked about the scale of preparations, Colonel Ehsan said the aim was to prevent any attempt to exploit vulnerabilities and create instability, expressing hope that the election would be held peacefully and fairly.

He said he did not see any specific threat surrounding the polls and said BGB members had received adequate training to maintain law and order while using minimal force.