“Three-tier security arrangement for elections: IGP”

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the forthcoming referendum, the police have put in place a comprehensive three-tier security system, according to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam.

Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters Media Centre on Tuesday (10 February), the IGP outlined the law and order preparedness for the upcoming electoral process.

“The security framework comprises three distinct layers: central, mobile, and striking forces,” he said. “In total, 187,603 police personnel are engaged in ensuring a safe and orderly voting process across the country.”

The IGP noted that 8,770 polling centres have been identified as high-risk locations. Security will not only be provided by the police but also supported by the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Ansar forces.

Highlighting further measures, he stated that 24,000 polling centres nationwide have been flagged as potentially vulnerable. These centres will be monitored through CCTV and body cameras, allowing police to maintain heightened vigilance. “If any violent incident occurs at a polling station, not only could that centre’s voting be suspended, but the entire constituency’s election may also be postponed,” he warned.

The press conference also addressed the issue of missing weapons. IGP Baharul Alam revealed that among the items listed by the police, 1,330 firearms and several thousand other looted weapons remain unaccounted for. “We are not overlooking anything,” he stressed. “Every aspect has been carefully considered in shaping the security arrangements.”

To summarise the security deployment:

The IGP concluded by reaffirming the authorities’ commitment to ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and violence-free election. He emphasised that despite the ongoing challenges—including unaccounted weapons—the security forces are fully prepared to respond effectively and maintain public confidence in the electoral process.