Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus said the next week would be crucial as authorities move from preparation to the actual conduct of voting, expressing satisfaction with the election arrangements so far.
He made the remarks at a high-level meeting on the election at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening. The meeting was attended by senior government officials, the Election Commission and heads of security forces responsible for maintaining law and order during the polls.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, briefed journalists about this after the meeting. The Press Secretary said that the meeting discussed the preparation for the election, deployment of security force members, and the challenges ahead. Updated information on the work completed so far was provided.
In the meeting, the Chief Adviser said that the next week is very crucial and said, we are satisfied with the preparations so far. Now the main challenge is to complete the vote smoothly.
The Chief Adviser expressed hope that the vote will be festive. It will be safe. Women will vote happily. The entire family will join the voting festival together and this vote will be memorable in history.
Highlighting the topics of discussion of the meeting, Shafiqul Alam said, “The police have been given body worn cameras. About 43 thousand polling stations across the country. Out of them, 25 thousand 700 body worn cameras are being given. How these cameras work was shown in the meeting. Since the meeting, the Chief Adviser has spoken to those who were carrying body worn cameras in five places. He spoke in Tentulia. He spoke in Khagrachari.”
“Another topic was- Election Security App. It has been fully launched. It will be used by the officials in charge of the election and security officials. If there is trouble at any polling station, a message will be sent to the security forces quickly through this app. The message will also go to the Returning Officer and the Election Commission. The situation can be brought under control quickly.”
In the meeting, the Election Commission Secretary gave updated information about the preparations for the election. The heads of various security forces informed about the recruitment of their forces.
About 9 lakh members of various security forces are being recruited for the election. Of these, 1 lakh 8 thousand 885 members of the army, navy and air force have already been recruited. 37 thousand 453 BGB members have been recruited in 1210 platoons. 3 thousand 585 members of the Coast Guard have been deployed in 69 unions of 20 upazilas in 10 districts.
The police recruitment will be on the morning of the 11th. There will be 1 lakh 57 thousand police. In addition, 5 lakh 67 thousand 866 Ansar members will be deployed on Sunday. The deployment of RAB members will start on time.
The Press Secretary said that about 400 foreign observers will be present in the election. There will be about 50 thousand domestic observers. About 120 foreign journalists will cover the election. The 'Election Friend' hotline number 333 has been launched. Any complaints or news related to the election can be reported and reported by calling this number. 80 percent of CCTVs have been installed. 25,700 body-worn cameras have already been installed. All 43,000 centers have come under intelligence surveillance. The issues of risky centers are being updated regularly.
Regarding media reports about fake observers (PASHA) in the election, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that the Election Commission has inquired about them. Their observation cards have been suspended as they could not be sure about their capabilities. An investigation is underway.
Regarding the security risk to journalists in the election, Shafiqul Alam said that there is no security risk to journalists.
He asked the DMP to question him about the attack on media workers during the protest at the Inquilab Mancha on Friday.
Shafiqul Alam said that the Election Commission Secretary informed the meeting that elections are being held in 299 seats. The elections have been postponed due to the death of the candidate from Sherpur-3 seat. The total number of candidates contesting in 299 seats is 2,029. The total number of candidates from political parties is 1,755. There are 274 independent candidates. There are 83 female candidates.
Of these, 63 are party candidates. 20 are independent. The total number of voters is 127,711,793. Males are 64,825,361. Females are 62,885,200. Transgenders are 1,232. Total polling stations are 42,779.
Postal ballots of 422,960 expatriates have arrived. The returning officer has accepted 270,038 ballots. Of those who voted outside the country, 94 percent are men and 6 percent are women. Ballots have been sent to 124 countries. People from Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India have expressed interest in knowing about our postal ballots.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
