Bangladesh plans to deploy between 90,000 and 100,000 members of the armed forces for the 13th parliamentary election, with the largest contingent drawn from the Ansar force, the Election Commission (EC) said on Monday (October 20).

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed briefed reporters after a pre-election law-and-order meeting with security agencies, noting that the legal basis for troop deployment—either “in aid to civil power” or under the Representation of the People Order—will be decided once pending RPO amendments are finalised. 

He said the Ansar deployment is expected to be around five lakh (or slightly higher), while other forces will be provided “as needed” to secure polling. The commission aims to hold the vote in the first half of February. 

Monday’s session formed part of the EC’s advance coordination with law enforcement and the armed services ahead of the polls. 

Separately, recent official briefings have indicated large-scale Ansar mobilisation for election duties, alongside a substantial military presence to support overall security operations. 

SMS/