For the 13th national parliamentary election, approximately 100,000 army personnel, 150,000 police officers, and 550,000 Ansar members will be deployed, according to Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC).
On Monday (October 20), a meeting was held at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka, with representatives of law enforcement agencies to ensure a free, fair, and participatory election. After the meeting, the EC Secretary stated that the army will operate under “in aid to civil power”, while the police and Ansar will be deployed according to pre-determined plans.
He also mentioned that drone use will be prohibited during election campaigning, though law enforcement can use them if necessary. The proposal is to deploy personnel for eight days – three days before the vote, on election day, and four days after. Additionally, 85% of previously looted weapons have been recovered, and efforts to recover the remaining are ongoing.