Bangladesh
Army Army deployment for 13 days on 29 December
Dhaka, December 11: The army may be deployed across the country for 13 days from December 29 to ensure security before, during and after the 12th National Assembly elections to be held on January 7.
The Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Department, Lt. Gen. Waqar-uz-Zaman, disclosed this information to reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Monday. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal chaired the meeting on Monday at Election Hall.
He said that there was a discussion about the deployment of the army for 13 days from December 29 to January 10 based on the election. The Election Commission will request the President for permission. Then the president will take the final decision," said Waqar-uz-Zaman.
During the 2018 11th National Assembly elections, more than 35,000 army personnel were deployed to support the civil administration.
He said, "If there is more need this time, it will be deployed accordingly. Of course, there is always preparation. Last time it was deployed in 388 upazilas of the country. The Election Commission wants the army to be deployed. There has been a discussion on how to deploy. If they want help, we will help them."
He also said that the Election Commission wants a free and fair election. If armed forces are deployed, we must assist the EC.
Jahangir Alam said the EC held discussions with the PSO of the Armed Forces, the Public Security Department and the senior secretaries of the Ministry of Defence.
He said that there was a discussion on how the armed forces can help in the elections to be held on January 7.
