Security forces will remain on duty nine days before, after election, says Advisor Jahangir

He says the role of Ansar will be “crucial” in the vote

Members of law-enforcing agencies will remain on duty for nine days surrounding the parliamentary polls, according to Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

He said the deployment will cover five days before the election and three days after polling day.

Speaking outside the Patuakhali Circuit House on Saturday, Jahangir said the Army currently has 30,000 members on duty.

During the election, around 100,000 Army, 150,000 police, 35,000 Border Guard Bangladesh, 5,000 Navy, 4,000 Coast Guard, 8,000 Rapid Action Battalion, and about 550,000 Ansar members will be deployed, he noted.

The advisor said Ansar members will play a “major role” in managing the election, and they will be provided with weapons and body cameras.

He expressed confidence that the election will proceed peacefully, adding that there is no reason to doubt the security arrangements.

In response to a question about the Awami League government, he said: “The fall of a government in our country did not happen because of just three people. You are seeing how the government fell.

“How the head of the government fled and how her close associates escaped. Especially how relatives were sent away earlier, that was not the work of one, two or three people. It happened due to the spontaneous participation of the people.”

Afterwards, he visited the Patuakhali Police Lines and Coast Guard Station, before heading to Kuakata to inspect the Navy Police and Tourist Police camp.