Fear of violence cast shadow over upcoming local polls 

Local government elections are drawing closer, but concerns over violence are growing. The Election Commission (EC) is preparing security plans, while police warn that a shortage of vehicles and equipment has reduced their operational capacity.

The elections are expected to begin in November with Union Parishad polls. The EC plans to hold the elections in six or seven phases and complete polls for the other local government bodies by the end of next year.

Unlike national elections, local polls often bring rivalry down to the village and neighbourhood level. Several candidates may compete for the same post, sometimes from the same family. Rival groups within the same political party may also support different candidates.

Although the elections will not use party symbols, political parties have already started selecting potential candidates. In many areas, supporters have begun informal campaigns through posters, social media and local 
gatherings.

*    39,000 police personnel to receive election training from November 16
*    BGB to play a major role in maintaining security

This has raised concerns that a non-party election could still become a contest between rival political groups.
Local elections have a history of violence.

Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin recently said violence had been more common in local elections than in national polls. He said disputes often arise when several candidates compete for the same position.

The figures from the 2021 Union Parishad elections show the scale of the problem.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 113 people were killed in 672 incidents of violence linked to Union Parishad elections that year. More than 7,000 people were injured.

Another 13 people were killed in violence during municipal and city corporation elections in 2021.

The 2014 Upazila Parishad elections also saw serious violence. Although the elections were formally non-party, political parties supported candidates. More than 100 people were killed during the election period, according to ASK's account.

Election observers say returning to non-party elections alone may not prevent violence. If political parties continue to support candidates informally, local rivalries could remain.

The EC has started working with law enforcement agencies ahead of the polls.

It has held meetings with police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar and Village Defence Party. The commission has asked police for a report on the country's law and order situation. The report will be used to prepare the final security plan.

The EC also discussed election security with BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.

After a meeting with the CEC on 24 August, the BGB chief said the force had been asked to start preparations and training early. He said BGB could have a bigger role if the army was not deployed. For now, the EC has no plan to deploy the army.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the commission was not planning to use the army at this stage. 

However, the EC has proposed changes to the law to include the armed forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies for four types of local elections, excluding district councils. This would create a legal basis for army deployment if the situation later requires it.

Police have also started preparations.

A special training programme for police officers began at Rajarbagh on 9 September. The training covers election laws, polling station security, professional conduct and neutrality.

Around 39,000 police personnel are scheduled to receive election training from 16 November at 114 venues across the country.
The CEC has said the EC will not give police any illegal instructions. He has also asked the Inspector General of Police to train officers who have no previous election experience.

The police leadership has assured the EC that it will take necessary measures to ensure a free and fair election.
But the force faces a major logistical problem.

Inspector General Ali Hossain Fakir said police units across the country were short of around 2,500 vehicles. He said the shortage had reduced the force's normal operational capacity by about 20 percent.

Police officials link much of the shortage to damage caused during the July-August 2024 unrest. Police headquarters data show that 1,074 vehicles were damaged during that period. Of these, 455 cars and motorcycles were set on fire and 620 were vandalised.
A further 1,369 vehicles became unusable in 2025.

Police headquarters has sought new vehicles and equipment, but the shortage remains a concern as thousands of officers will be deployed during the local polls.