Heightened Security at 218 Lalmonirhat Polling Stations

Comprehensive security arrangements have been finalised in Lalmonirhat district ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, with 218 out of 386 polling stations placed under special surveillance. The district administration, in coordination with law enforcement and election authorities, has categorised these centres as either “important” or “highly important” following a risk-based assessment.

According to officials at the District Election Office, the classification was determined on the basis of intelligence inputs, previous law and order records, geographical vulnerability, communication constraints, and proximity to the international border. Lalmonirhat, located in northern Bangladesh, shares extensive border areas, prompting heightened vigilance in selected upazilas.

The district comprises three parliamentary constituencies with a total electorate of 1,144,495 voters. Authorities have also initiated awareness campaigns to encourage participation among men, women, and newly registered voters, with a focus on ensuring a peaceful and credible ballot.

A constituency-wise breakdown of polling stations and their security status is provided below:

Security deployments will vary in proportion to risk grading. Important and highly important centres will receive additional armed police, Ansar members, and Village Defence Party personnel. Highly important centres, in particular, will benefit from intensified mobile patrols, standby striking forces, and the formation of rapid response teams to address any emergent disturbances.

In a notable procedural development, armed Ansar personnel will, for the first time, be assigned specifically to safeguard presiding officers at designated centres. Officials believe this measure will strengthen operational confidence among election staff and mitigate potential threats during voting hours.

Four border-adjacent upazilas—Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, and Aditmari—have been placed under enhanced scrutiny. A total of 22 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in these areas. Their mandate includes reinforced patrol operations, establishment of temporary checkpoints, and monitoring of suspicious cross-border movement. Intelligence surveillance has also been intensified to curb illegal arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and unlawful infiltration.

Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman stated that a multi-layered security perimeter has been established through coordinated deployment of police, BGB, Ansar forces, and executive magistrates. Select polling centres will additionally be equipped with CCTV coverage and body-worn cameras to enhance transparency and post-event accountability.

District officials have confirmed that all logistical and security preparations are complete. Authorities expressed confidence that polling day will proceed in a peaceful, orderly, and participatory atmosphere, reflecting the democratic aspirations of the electorate.