Armed forces ready to act to protect voters, ballot boxes

News Desk

The armed forces are prepared to take action, if necessary, to ensure the safety of voters and protect ballot boxes during the election, with hundreds of thousands of personnel deployed nationwide, said Brig Gen Dewan Md Monzur Hossain, director of the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters on Thursday.

For the first time, armed forces members have been authorized to operate even within polling station courtyards, a departure from previous national elections when about 40,000–42,000 personnel were deployed mainly as a striking force in remote areas, he said at a press conference on army election-related activities at the Roller Skating Complex adjacent to the National Stadium in the capital on Thursday afternoon.

Brig Gen Monzur said unlike past elections, when troops were stationed away from polling centers, a large number of personnel have been deployed close to polling stations this time. “The objective is to restore voters’ confidence and strengthen the overall security of polling centers,” he said, adding that the deployment process began on January 20.

Patrols continue despite vehicle shortage

Addressing concerns over a shortage of vehicles, Brig. Gen Monzur said the army does not have sufficient transport and has sought assistance from the civil administration. “Even if vehicles have to be hired, patrolling activities are continuing uninterrupted.”

Weapons and ammunition seized

Highlighting strengthened security operations ahead of the election, he said around 150 weapons were recovered over a 14-day period starting January 20, along with a large quantity of ammunition, cocktails, and bomb-making materials.

He also said four foreign pistols and 10 grenade-like hand bombs were seized in a joint operation in the Baharpara area of Jessore on January 31.

According to him, since the beginning of the current operation, more than 10,000 illegal weapons and about 291,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered. In addition, 22,282 identified terrorists and criminals have been arrested and handed over to the police.

Army ready for any need

Referring to directives from the army chief, Brig. Gen Monzur said the military has assured the civil administration and election-related law enforcement agencies of full support to ensure a fair election.

“Our main objective is to build trust among the general public,” he said.

Helicopters, boats on standby in remote areas

He said special measures are in place for remote and high-risk areas, with military helicopters and boats to be used if necessary to transport election officials and materials. Helicopters will be pre-positioned in different parts of the country to respond to emergencies.

He added that more technology is being used in this election than before, including audio-video cameras and modern monitoring systems at vulnerable polling centers. A round-the-clock monitoring cell is operating at Army Headquarters in coordination with district and upazila administrations.

Identifying rumors and propaganda on social media as a major challenge, Brig Gen Monzur sought cooperation from the media, warning that fake and misleading information could intimidate voters. He stressed the importance of objective, fact-based reporting.

He said the Bangladesh Army is fully prepared to work alongside the Election Commission, civil administration, law enforcement agencies, and the public to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible election.

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