Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed today said a safe environment exists in the country for holding the national elections slated for February next.

“The commission has held detailed discussions with top law enforcement officials to further consolidate this environment. The main objective of the discussions was to ensure security, transparency, and a fair environment for the election,” he said after a meeting with top law enforcement officials at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon.

Replying to a query, Akhtar Ahmed said, “The environment for holding elections in the country is already fair and conducive. The process, including today’s discussions, will continue to strengthen it further.”

Regarding the deployment of law enforcement personnel during the upcoming election, the secretary said the initial plan was to deploy them for five days during the election period. However, during the discussion, a proposal was made to keep the law enforcement forces on the ground for three days before the elections, on the polling day, and four days after the elections, he said, adding that the final decision will be made after further review.

The secretary said around 150,000 police personnel will be deployed during the election period. The army will deploy 90,000 to 100,000 members, while the Ansar force will deploy about 550,000 to 600,000 members. All the forces concerned will ensure election security to the best of their ability, he added.

On the recovery of illegal weapons, the secretary said law enforcement agencies have already recovered about 85 percent of them. Efforts to recover the remaining weapons and ammunition are underway and will be completed before the elections, he added.

About the election security plan, Akhtar Ahmed said that the discussion covered in detail the security of polling stations, polling officer security, security of constituencies and the entire country, illegal arms control, prevention of misuse of information on social media, security of foreign journalists and observers, the postal voting system, illegal infiltration, control of black money, coordination of election office activities, and election transport and helicopter arrangements in hilly and remote areas.

Regarding the use of drones, the secretary said that their use will be generally prohibited during election campaigns. However, law enforcement agencies will be able to use drones if necessary for security purposes, he said.

He said the home secretary confirmed that security measures will be strengthened through polling station monitoring, body-worn cameras, and drones. In addition, all forces are undertaking their own training programs so that activities on Election Day are completed smoothly, he added.

He said today’s discussion was basically a preparatory step to make the election more beautiful and fair. “Step by step, we will fine-tune a more detailed plan, individually or jointly with other organizations. Our goal is one – to ensure a free, fair, and participatory election.”

The meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and attended by four election commissioners, the EC secretary, senior secretary of the Home Ministry, inspector general of police, army, navy, air force, Armed Forces Division, Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard, Ansar, RAB, Special Branch, CID, NTMC, and other relevant officials.

Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “Through today’s discussion, we have seen that the law enforcement agencies are fully prepared for the security of the elections, the implementation of the schedule, and every stage of voting. They will play an effective role before, during, and after the elections.”

He said that during the election period, the law enforcement agencies and the relevant defence forces will play an active role in ensuring election security. Information exchange and coordination will be maintained between the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies, he added.

In addition, an action plan has been prepared at the administrative level for the conduct of elections at each union, upazila, and district level, said Akhtar Ahmed.