13th National Parliamentary ElectionBGB to be on field from Thursday

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will deploy 38 platoons in Dhaka and two neighbouring districts to ensure law and order and protect voters ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Lt Col Taimur Hasan, commanding officer of BGB’s 5 Battalion, announced the plan at a press conference at the battalion’s training ground at the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana on Wednesday.

He said members of five battalions will begin field operations from Thursday.

Under the Dhaka Sector, BGB will deploy 11 platoons across five parliamentary constituencies in Dhaka North City Corporation, six platoons in two constituencies in Savar and Dhamrai, 13 platoons in four constituencies in Faridpur, and eight platoons in three constituencies in Manikganj.

BGB will set up checkpoints at key locations, including entry points to the capital, and conduct searches to strengthen security. The force will also deploy specialised K-9 dog squads at sensitive sites, Hasan said.

To respond to emergencies, BGB will keep its Rapid Action Team, Quick Response Force and helicopters on standby. During election duties, personnel will use body-worn cameras, night-vision devices, armoured personnel carriers and modern signal equipment. The battalion has also formed a monitoring cell at its headquarters to track the situation round the clock.

Hasan said the Election Commission has not imposed any restriction on BGB entering polling centres this time. He added that BGB personnel will enter centres immediately to take action if presiding officers seek assistance or if authorities detect violence or attempts at vote rigging.

The BGB commander said he believes the combined efforts of the government, the Election Commission and the public will ensure a peaceful and festive election.