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Law enforcement forces including BGB, RAB will enter the field in the 157 upazila elections of the second phase of the sixth upazila parishad on Sunday (May 19). They will be on duty for a total of 5 days before and after the polls.
Election Commission (EC) deputy secretary of the election management branch. Atiyar Rahman said that the members of various forces will be engaged in the field for 5 days. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued a circular in this regard.
According to the circular, 17 people each of police, Ansar and village police will be deployed in plain polling stations and 19 people will be deployed in high-risk centers. A force of 19 people will be deployed in general centers and 21 people in high-risk centers in remote and hilly areas.
Each Union shall have one Executive Magistrate to enforce the Election Conduct Rules. Also, one Executive Magistrate will be deployed with the mobile/striking force, especially with each mobile team of the BGB.
Meanwhile, there will be one Judicial Magistrate in each Upazila to try electoral crimes.
Government Emergency Service 999 will have a special team. The team will directly forward the complaint/information received regarding the election to the area-based law and order coordination cell for prompt action.
Responsibilities of BGB/Bangladesh Coast Guard/Armed Police/Ansar Battalion:
(a) BGB/Bangladesh Coast Guard/Armed Police/Ansar Battalion will act as mobile and striking force;
(b) BGB in Districts/Upazilas/Thanas and Coast Guard in coastal areas.
(c) Considering the size of the upazila, the number of voters and the importance of the polling stations, 02-04 platoons of BGB will perform duty in each upazila. In view of the demand of the returning officers, the District Magistrate will take measures to deploy the required number of BGBs as per the decision of the Core Committee.
(d) Arrangements may be made for deployment of BGB as required/centrally in Sandwip and remote hilly areas;
(e) assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order as required by the Returning Officer in consultation with the District Magistrate.
(f) BGB may use helicopters and dog squads as necessary to maintain law and order and
(g) In view of the demand of the Returning Officer and Presiding Officer, under the direction of the District Magistrate, he shall perform the duty of maintaining peace and order inside the polling station or in the counting room.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB):
(a) Will act as a mobile and striking force.
(b) Will work to maintain overall law and order in the constituency.
(c) shall assist other law enforcement agencies in the maintenance of law and order as required by the Returning Officer.
(d) may use helicopters and dog squads for law enforcement purposes and
(e) To maintain peace and order inside the polling station or in the counting room as required by the Returning Officer and Presiding Officer.
Bangladesh Police:
(a) The Bangladesh Police shall be responsible for maintaining overall law and order in the polling areas and for maintaining law and order inside the polling stations and creating an environment of confidence for the voters.
(b) ensure security while carrying all election related equipment and documents.
(c) Ensure security of election officials and employees.
(d) Provide security for election offices, Returning Officer's office and Assistant Returning Officer's office.
(e) Local public security shall ensure local order, including orderly queuing of voters at polling stations.
Ansar and VDP:
(a) Shall perform duties as per plan prescribed by Bangladesh Police.
(b) provide security assistance while carrying all election related equipment and documents and
(c) ensure order at the polling station including orderly queuing of voters and comply with any lawful directions of the presiding officer of the polling station concerned.
Administration and Management:
(a) Arms and ammunition shall be determined by the headquarters of the respective forces.
(b) Housing arrangements to be determined in coordination with the local administration.
(c) The headquarters of respective forces shall fix their rations.
(d) Fuel costs should be met from the administrative sector.
(e) The Air Force shall deploy necessary number of helicopters at convenient locations for emergency treatment/transfer of patients/casualties as per respective HQ guidelines.
(f) The respective forces shall use the required number of vehicles of their respective organizations and
(g) All expenses related to military/civilian vehicles/boats/aircraft/helicopter fuel maintenance and hire, contingency, camp/accommodation and telephone bills will be borne by the Election Commission Secretariat.
The second phase of upazila elections will be held on May 21. Campaigning will end at midnight on Sunday to keep the election environment peaceful. Besides, traffic will be restricted in the polling area from the same time.
