The Election Commission (EC) has appointed a total of 2,098 executive magistrates and 657 judicial magistrates to perform election-related duties for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the Referendum, scheduled to be held on Thursday.
According to the EC, 657 judicial magistrates will remain deployed in 299 constituencies to take cognizance of election-related offences and complete trials. Their duties span five days, from February 10 to February 14, including two days before polling, the election day and two days after polling.
Since the announcement of the election schedule, 1,047 executive magistrates have been appointed across the country to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct.
In addition, another 1,051 executive magistrates have been deployed based on the requirements of returning officers to maintain overall law and order, prevent offences and carry out duties in coordination with mobile courts and striking forces.
To ensure a secure voting environment, around 9,58,000 personnel from various law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide for the election and referendum.
Among them, 1,03,000 members of the Bangladesh Army, 3,500 personnel from the Air Force, and 5,000 from the Navy will be on duty. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will deploy 37,453 personnel across the country.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard will deploy 3,585 members in 17 constituencies under 10 districts, covering 332 polling centres in 69 unions across 20 upazilas.
In addition, 1,87,603 police personnel and 9,349 members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed. A total of 5,67,868 members of the Ansar force will also be on election duty.
Moreover, 1,922 members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will remain on the field on election day to assist in maintaining discipline and order.
The EC said the comprehensive deployment aims to ensure peaceful polling, uphold the rule of law, and facilitate a free, fair and credible election process across the country.
NSA
