The Police HQs ordered its field officials to prepare list of "vulnerable" polling centres ahead of the 11th parliamentary elections. The decision of deployment of forces will depend on the degree of vulnerability of the centres, it was learnt.
Law enforcement agency sources said the process of listing vulnerable centres has already started.
A senior police official, preferring anonymity, told Daily Observer that the HQs had ordered the law enforcing agencies to remain alert about vulnerable polling centres.
The intelligence agencies say the centres where there are risks of vote rigging have been determined to be "vulnerable." The
Election Commission (EC) has decided to employ 24 members of police and Ansar, 12 of whom will carry firearms, with another 12 carrying batons.
Some EC officials said they need 40,000 voting centres for 104.2 million voters. According to EC policy, there has to be one voting centre for every 2,500 voters.
Their policy further stipulates that setting up polling centres in institutions established by any candidate should be avoided.
Earlier, Sharif Md Forhad Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs said most of the voting centres will be the same as the previous election, except for those lost in natural disasters or to river erosion.
Each polling centre will have a presiding officer, while each booth will have an assistant presiding officer and two polling officers. In total, 600,000 polling officers will be appointed.
Furthermore, 15 to 18 members of the security forces will be present at each of the centres.
The Election Commission will hold special review meetings with the Home Ministry, top officials of law enforcement agencies, returning officers and field officials regarding security measures.
Article 126 of the Constitution allows the Election Commission to appoint army personnel along with law enforcement agencies if necessary to conduct a free, fair and peaceful election.
The army was on the ground for 15 days during the 10th parliamentary polls.
