Over 2,500 polling centres in Rangpur flagged ‘risky’, six-tier security in place

Extra police personnel will be deployed at each centre to maintain order, says the Rangpur Range DIG

A total of 2,561 polling centres in the Rangpur Division have been classified as “risky” for the parliamentary election and referendum, with authorities putting in place a six-tier security arrangement.

Authorities have decided to exercise extra caution at centres located in Char areas, isolated regions, and near some candidates’ residences.

Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam said extra police will be deployed at each risky centre and that officers will carry out their duties with maximum vigilance.

He added that, alongside intelligence monitoring, police personnel at these centres will wear body cameras, with live feeds monitored at senior levels.

According to data from the DIG’s office, the division’s 33 parliamentary constituencies cover eight districts, including 30 municipalities and 533 unions.

A total of 4,546 polling centres have been set up for 13.45 million voters, of which 827 have been marked as “high-risk.”

Authorities said the centres identified as risky have a history of attempted takeovers, clashes, intimidation, and influence by political actors, prompting special measures for law and order.

CCTV has already been installed at the risky centres. In addition, extra armed police and Ansar members are being deployed, alongside patrol teams and striking forces.

SECURITY PLAN

To prevent any untoward incidents during the election, police have implemented a six-tier security plan across the division.

District Police Superintendent (SP) Marufat Hussein said police will be deployed at 669 centres under the district police’s jurisdiction.

Mobile teams, striking forces, sub-sectors, and sector divisions will monitor voters, candidates, and election materials outside the centres in municipalities and unions.

Alongside intelligence monitoring, 315 centres will have body cameras on police personnel.

He added that, in addition to police, patriotic forces including the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar will work to maintain law and order.