United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Monday said 37 polling centres in the capital have been identified as risky ahead of the national election. He disclosed the information at a press conference on the security plan taken by DMP on the occasion of the election at the DMP Media Centre. “Seven police personnel equipped with body cameras will be deployed at each of the 37 risky polling centres. These centres are mostly in remote areas with narrow roads, which is why additional police presence has been arranged,” he said. The commissioner said the city has 1,614 important polling stations and 517 general polling stations. Four police personnel will be deployed at each important station while three will be stationed at each general polling station, he said. Sajjat Ali added that all necessary preparations have been taken to ensure a peaceful election and prevent any untoward incidents. He also said 25,000 DMP members have received election-related training. The DMP’s Special Reserve Force, Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad will also remain deployed to handle any situation. DMP Commissioner orders highest security at Dhaka polling centres Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Sarwar and Additional Police Commissioner SM Nazrul Islam were present at the briefing. Meanwhile, he said, extensive security measures have been put in place in the capital centring the national election.

Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky. Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission. Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general. Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila. According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres. Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout. 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting. Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Saturday he was happy with the overall atmosphere of the Dhaka city election.