EC to enforce three-tier security from schedule day
The Election Commission (EC) will take a zero-tolerance stance on violations of the election code of conduct and will introduce strict security measures from the day the election schedule is announced.
The EC is also setting up a central monitoring cell and a cyber security cell to monitor social media and maintain law and order ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections and the referendum.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin held a high-level meeting on Thursday, November 27, with top officials of all security and intelligence agencies, including the police, BGB, Ansar-VDP, RAB, armed forces, and representatives from the Home Ministry.
Following the meeting, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed briefed reporters, saying the commission’s message is clear: “Everyone must cooperate fully to ensure a fair, peaceful, and festive election. No one will be given any exemption in case of deviation.”
Three-tier security plan finalised
The EC has approved a three-layer security structure:
Static Force – Stationed at polling centres and checkpoints.
Mobile Force – Patrolling and responding to incidents across constituencies.
Central Reserve Force – Kept on standby to respond to emergencies.
These components also include what is traditionally known as the “striking force,” now divided across the three layers.
The secretary said he would inform the media “within five minutes” once the election schedule is finalised.
Massive deployment for 13.5 crore voters
The upcoming elections will involve:
13.5 crore registered voters
More than 200,000 polling booths
Around 43,000 polling stations across 300 constituencies
Initial proposals include deploying law enforcement for eight days surrounding the polls. Around:
7 lakh law enforcement personnel
5.5 lakh Ansar-VDP members
90,000+ armed forces personnel will be on duty, in addition to police, RAB, BGB, and Coast Guard members.
Central monitoring & cyber security cells
A high-level central monitoring cell will oversee law and order, misinformation, and coordination among agencies. A dedicated cyber security cell will monitor social media using the EC’s UNDP-supported platform, with cooperation from the Information Ministry, CID, and other fact-checking agencies.
Contingency plans, intelligence boost ordered
The EC has instructed all agencies to:
Prepare contingency plans for quick deployment during unrest
Strengthen intelligence surveillance
Recover illegal firearms and track legal ones
Take action against terrorists and criminals
Ensure communication coverage in remote areas, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Law enforcement has also been asked to provide full support for postal voting, including assistance for returning officers.
Strict implementation of code of conduct
Akhtar Ahmed reiterated that political parties and candidates must follow the code of conduct from day one of schedule announcement.
“The EC does not have its own force. We rely on all law enforcement agencies. They have assured us they will work effectively on the ground from the first day,” he said.
Top officials attending the meeting included Home Ministry Additional Secretary Khandaker Md Mahabubur Rahman, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali, Ansar-VDP DG Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, DGFI DG Major General Jahangir Alam, BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman, SB Chief Additional IGP Golam Rasul, and CID Additional IGP Sibgat Ullah.