POBNEWS24, Dhaka Jan 2, 2024 : The armed forces are entering the field from Wednesday (January 3) to assist the local civil administration in order to conduct free, fair, impartial and peaceful elections for the 12th National Assembly to be held on January 7.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said this in a press release on Tuesday (January 2).
According to the ISPR, the armed forces have been deployed under Article 126 of the Constitution under ‘In Aid to the Civil Power’ to provide assistance to the local civil administration for the free, fair, impartial and peaceful conduct of the National Assembly elections. The armed forces will provide support to the Election Commission and local civil administration from January 3 to 10 across the country to ensure law and order before, on and after polling.
Armed forces personnel will be stationed at nodal points and other convenient locations in each district, upazila and metropolitan area.
The ISPR further informed that the forces are carrying out area wise deployment at the request and coordination of the concerned Returning Officer. Army is deployed in 62 districts. BGB will perform sole responsibility in 45 upazilas bordering the plain. Also, in 47 bordering upazilas, the army will perform joint duties with the BGB and in four coastal upazilas with the Coast Guard through coordination.
The Navy will perform duties in a total of 19 upazilas, including two coastal districts (Bhola and Barguna). The Air Force will provide necessary helicopter support to polling stations in remote hilly areas. In addition, the necessary number of helicopters of the Air Force have been kept ready to provide electoral assistance in case of emergency.
A joint coordination cell comprising representatives of various ministries, departments and law enforcement agencies has been set up in the Armed Forces Department, which will remain operational till January 10.
ISPR also said that the armed forces have taken all-out preparations to provide necessary assistance to maintain peace and order on the occasion of the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections.
