UZ polls: Maximum presence of law enforcers to be ensured

UZ polls: Maximum presence of law enforcers to be ensured

Dhaka, Apr 29 - To ensure a free and fair upazila election, the maximum number of law enforcement officers would be deployed at each polling station.

Complaints can be lodged by calling 999 during the upazila elections. At the same time, magistrates will be appointed in each union.

A team of 17 to 18 people, coordinated by police and Ansar, will be in charge of security at each polling centre.

These decisions were taken at a law and order meeting at the Secretariat on Monday (April 29) ahead of the upazila parishad elections' first phase. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal presided over the meeting.

After the meeting, Mostafizur Rahman, senior secretary of the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry, briefed reporters about the decisions.

According to the Home Minister, the number of law enforcers assigned to the polling centres has increased from what it was before.

"A total of six armed members will be present, with at least ten Ansars assigned to each booth. If there are more than six booths, one additional Ansar will be added," he added.

On the other hand, a total of 17 to 18 personnel, comprising four armed police officers and three armed Ansar members, will be deployed in key centres.

The senior secretary also mentioned that, for every five centres, there will be a mobile force or striking force made up of one Ansar, police, BGB, RAB, and Coast Guard.

Ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting. Mobile forces and striking forces will be deployed to deliver ballot papers early in the morning. The Coast Guard will carry out BGB's responsibilities in coastal areas, he said.

He also said that voting materials and officials would be transported by helicopter to some isolated communities located in hilly regions.

There are no reports of violence as yet, but law enforcement officials will remain cautious, he added.-UNB