The Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka and Returning Officer, Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, has stated that 1,400 polling stations in Dhaka have been identified as vulnerable ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and the upcoming referendum.

He shared this information during a briefing on Wednesday (February 11) regarding the overall election preparations in the capital.

According to him, the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office has completed all necessary preparations for both the election and the referendum. Voting materials are expected to reach polling stations through presiding officers before the evening.

He also mentioned that there are currently no major security concerns and that authorities are not facing any pressure. So far, 52 complaints related to violations of the electoral code of conduct have been received, and all have been resolved.

However, the Election Commission has categorized 1,400 centers across 13 constituencies in Dhaka as high-risk. As a result, additional law enforcement personnel will be deployed at those locations compared to regular polling stations.

On Thursday (February 12), mobile courts will operate under the supervision of 80 executive magistrates and 2 judicial magistrates in Dhaka. To handle any untoward incidents promptly, sufficient members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the armed forces will remain on duty, he added.

Furthermore, around 90 percent of polling stations in Dhaka will be under CCTV surveillance. Two Ansar members equipped with body-worn cameras will be stationed at each center to upload real-time footage.