Army begins election duty

Army begins election duty

Dhaka, Dec 24 (Just News) : Army personnel have started election duties today, Monday, to help ensure the law and order before, during and after the general election billed for 30 December.

Except 18 coastal and 87 bordering upazilas, members of Bangladesh Army will perform duties in all the remaining 389 upazilas, said an ISPR release on Sunday.

Bangladesh Navy members will remain in the coastal upazilas while Border Guard Bangladesh personnel in the bordering upazilas alongside other designated areas.

To be deployed under the 'in aid to civil power', the armed forces members will stay at 'nodal points' and other convenient points in every district/upazila/metropolitan areas, and will conduct patrolling and other operational activities in coordination with returning officers, if necessary.

Besides, Bangladesh Air Force will keep adequate helicopters and transport aircraft ready in case of any emergency strikes, the release, said, adding that the armed forces members will work to ensure security on important roads and highways considering the situation if necessary or upon directives.

It also said a joint coordination cell will be set up at the Armed Forces Division consisting representatives of different ministries/departments and law enforcement agencies.

A three-member technical expert team of the armed forces will provide technical support in each of 845 polling centres in six constituencies where voting will be held using electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Meanwhile, members of Bangladesh Army were stationed in 389 upazilas and Navy men in 18 upazilas across the country on Sunday to start their duty on Monday ahead of the national election slated for 30 December.

Contacted, assistant director of Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate Rezaul Karim Shammi said army and navy members who were deployed in different upazilas on Sunday will start their activities as striking forces on Monday morning.

(JustNews/mj/1230hr.)