1,051 executive magistrates to be deployed today

Bangla Press Desk:  A total of 1,051 executive magistrates are being deployed across the country from today ahead of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election and the referendum scheduled for 12 February.

Alongside the magistrates, additional members of the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies are also being deployed. The security personnel will remain in the field until 14 February.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud shared the information with the media on Saturday (7 February).

EC Masud said, “The army had already been deployed and would be reinforced from Sunday. Formally, the army will remain on duty for seven days before and after the election. We have held meetings with the law enforcement agencies, and they have all reported that the overall law and order situation in the country is completely satisfactory and conducive to holding the election.”

The election commissioner also said that all ballot boxes had been dispatched to the districts and were being received by the returning officers. “Everyone is now busy with the final preparations for voting,” he added.

Earlier, a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said that police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), and the Coast Guard would be deployed to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. Members of the armed forces will also be deployed in aid of civil authorities to assist the local administration.According to official sources, more than 970,000 members of various law enforcement agencies will be engaged in election duties this time. The deployment includes 576,483 members of Ansar and VDP, 103,000 from the army, 5,000 from the navy, 3,730 from the air force, 37,453 BGB personnel, 3,585 Coast Guard members, 187,603 police personnel, 9,349 members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and 45,820 village guards and dafadars.

The circular further stated that the armed forces, BGB, Coast Guard, RAB, police, Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and Ansar Battalion will operate as mobile and striking forces to maintain law and order in election areas. BGB, RAB, APBn and Ansar Battalion members will work at district, upazila and police station levels, while the Coast Guard will be deployed in coastal areas.

All forces will report to the respective returning officers and carry out their duties in line with their instructions and guidance, the circular added.Source: daily Sun

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