Over 80,000 troops will be deployed during the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, alongside members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and other enforcement forces, to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.
Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury shared these during a press briefing on Monday, August 11after inspecting the Tegharia High School polling centre in South Keraniganj, part of the Dhaka-3 constituency.
“This election will be conducted in a festive and orderly atmosphere. We are making all-out preparations to ensure peace and fairness,” the Adviser said.
He added that, for enhanced security, each polling station, where two Ansar members were previously deployed, will now have three armed Ansar personnel, with one specifically assigned to protect the presiding officer.
“The success of a peaceful election depends on multiple factors,” he said. “It requires the cooperation of political parties, the Election Commission, the administration, law enforcement agencies, and above all, the people. Without public support, conducting a free and fair election will be extremely difficult.”
Special booths for youth and gender segregation
In a significant move aimed at increasing voter participation, the Adviser said that separate polling booths will be set up for young voters, particularly those aged 18-25 who were unable to vote in the last three elections due to various barriers.
Like past elections, separate booths for male and female voters will also be there to ensure a more inclusive, comfortable, and secure voting environment.
“The idea is to encourage youth participation and make the process more accessible,” said the Adviser. “We are also exploring gender-specific voting arrangements to ensure women can vote without hesitation or inconvenience.”
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus recently confirmed that the 13th parliamentary elections will be held in February, before Ramadan.
Zero tolerance for extortion
Responding to media queries about allegations of criminal groups occupying bus stands and temple premises, the Home Affairs Adviser issued a stern warning: “No form of extortion will be tolerated. Many extortionists have already been arrested and brought to justice. Going forward, no one, regardless of political affiliation, will be spared.”
Security infrastructure inspection
Earlier in the day, the Adviser visited the RAB-10 headquarters, Keraniganj Central Jail, and Keraniganj Model Police Station. During the prison visit, he inspected the inmates’ food, drinking water, and living conditions, issuing directives for improvements where necessary.
The series of visits underscored the interim government’s focus on ensuring institutional readiness and accountability across the security and correctional sectors ahead of the polls.
With comprehensive preparations underway, the government aims to conduct an election that is not only secure and transparent but also inclusive and youth-friendly.