The Ministry of Home Affairs has requested the Election Commission (EC) to install CCTV cameras at vulnerable polling centres during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
The ministry has also urged the EC to take the necessary steps to implement this measure.
Md Abdul Hai, Senior Assistant Secretary of the ministry, has already sent a letter to the EC Secretary in this regard.
The request follows the 11th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Law and Order, held recently at the Home Ministry. The meeting was presided over by the ministry’s adviser, retired Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
During the meeting, it was decided that CCTV cameras must be installed and actively monitored at all vulnerable polling stations to ensure security during the upcoming election. The responsibility for implementation lies with the Election Commission.
The meeting also decided to formulate a clear action plan with coordination from all relevant agencies to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and neutral. Field-level officials—including Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), and Officers-in-Charge (OCs)—were instructed to perform their duties with neutrality.
The committee also set a deadline of 31 December for the completion of all preparations, including the recruitment and passing out of new law enforcement personnel within the stipulated time.
Additionally, the meeting approved plans for two separate preparatory drills by law enforcement agencies. Measures were discussed to prevent any deterioration of law and order in the run-up to the national polls.
Authorities were advised to strengthen surveillance and remain alert against hate campaigns targeting law enforcement and government officials prior to the elections.
It was also decided that all agencies should work jointly and impartially during both the pre-election and election periods to effectively handle any situation.
Responding to the Home Ministry’s request, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “It is not possible to make any statement at this moment. A commission-level decision is required on the matter.”
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