By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The interim government in Bangladesh said Monday it will deploy more than 80,000 army troops, along with police and other forces, in elections to ensure a peaceful process.
“A sufficient number of law enforcement agencies will be deployed during the next parliamentary elections. Over 80,000 members of army personnel will be deployed along with members of the Bangladesh Navy, Border Guard Bangladesh, police and other forces to ensure a fair, peaceful and impartial election,” Home Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told reporters in Dhaka.
The decision has also been made to purchase 40,000 body cameras for police ahead of the election and CCTVs would be set up at every voting center so that all stations can be monitored from a central system, he added.
The Election Commission said earlier that the 13th parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February after interim government head Muhammad Yunus made an announcement during his national address on Aug. 5 -- the first anniversary of last year's uprising.
The commission also amended rules to include the army in its definition of law enforcers who discharge duties during an election, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah told reporters.
It also cancelled electronic voting machines amid serious allegations of election results being manipulated during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina is in exile in India after being toppled in the 2024 uprising.