DMP proposes 91 sites for election rallies, urges parties to avoid streets

Commissioner Sazzat Ali suggests possible alternative venues at a meeting with leaders of 32 political parties and alliances

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sazzat Ali has called on political parties to avoid staging rallies on busy roads ahead of the upcoming national election.

At a meeting with leaders of 32 political parties and alliances on Saturday, he proposed 91 alternative venues for rallies and processions.

“When roads are closed, pregnant women and critically ill patients cannot reach hospitals on time. Students miss their exams. It is urgent to overcome such situations,” he said at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium, according to a DMP statement.

Outlining the DMP’s preparations for the upcoming national polls, Sazzat said the "maximum number" of police personnel would be deployed during the polls.

The commissioner suggested possible venues across the city’s police divisions, including 15 in Motijheel, 12 in Tejgaon, 17 in Lalbagh, 14 in Wari, eight in Gulshan, 11 in Mirpur, 10 in Uttara, and four in Ramna.

However, the statement did not disclose a detailed list of the 91 locations, nor did it specify which political parties attended the meeting.

The meeting, attended by senior police officials, heard concerns from political leaders about Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion, drug abuse and the rise of teenage gangs. The participants pledged to cooperate with police to address these issues and urged vigilance against violence or sabotage in the run-up to the election.

Additional Police Commissioner Faruk Ahmed stressed the importance of a fair election, noting that international observers would be present. He said the force was determined to ensure a credible vote to help “restore its dignity”.