Campaigning for candidates contesting the 13th National Parliamentary Election will begin across the country on Thursday.
As part of the formal campaign, candidates from different political parties will engage in door-to-door outreach, public meetings, rallies, and street gatherings.
Law enforcement agencies, including the police, view maintaining law and order during the campaign period as a major challenge. Intelligence agencies have warned of possible clashes and violence among rival candidates and their supporters, as well as an increased risk of muscle power being displayed, particularly through the use of illegal weapons.
Police officials said surveillance has been stepped up to prevent any untoward incidents during the campaign. All security preparations have already been completed, and personnel deployed for election duty have received the necessary training.
In addition to intensified operations against illegal weapons, individuals with criminal records recently released from prison are being kept under close watch. Law enforcement agencies are maintaining regular communication with political parties and issuing directives.
Sources said violence and clashes have occurred before and after the start of campaigning in every previous national election, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Drawing on past experience, law enforcement agencies have taken extensive preparations to ensure the upcoming election is held smoothly.
Nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies, including the police, will be deployed during the election, sources said.
This includes around 150,000 police personnel and 555,958 members of the Ansar and Village Defence Force. Others include 37,453 members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), about 100,000 members of the armed forces, nearly 8,000 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members, 5,000 Navy personnel, 3,500 Coast Guard members, and 13,000 Fire Service personnel. Drones are also being used for surveillance, a measure already initiated by the police and other agencies.
Associate Professor Dr Touhidul Haque of Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research said all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and the administration, must remain on maximum alert from the first day of the official campaign. He stressed strict enforcement of the election code of conduct to keep the situation under control.
Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement activities are being carried out under a specific plan to ensure a fair election and maintain law and order.
He said visible policing has been increased to build public confidence and that regular operations are underway against individuals or groups suspected of planning sabotage.
He added that body-worn cameras will be deployed at high-risk polling centres and that dog squads will also be used. All election-related activities will be monitored from police headquarters, while police units have been instructed to reduce desk work and spend more time in the field to prevent election-related violence and ensure a peaceful vote.
