Gaibandha, Feb 11 (V7N) — Voting equipment is being delivered to polling centers in Gaibandha in preparation for the 13th National Parliament Election scheduled for Thursday (February 12).

The handover of election materials to presiding and assistant presiding officers began on Wednesday morning. Officers received around 24 types of equipment, including parliamentary and referendum ballots, transparent ballot boxes, and indelible ink.

Before the official distribution, law enforcement personnel participated in a press briefing at the Islamia High School grounds in Gaibandha, where they highlighted the law and order situation, security arrangements, and other election preparations.

There are 680 polling stations in Gaibandha, including 47 risky centers located in remote char areas.

Gaibandha Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Masudur Rahman Molla said overall security arrangements have been strengthened across the district and strict surveillance will be maintained at every level. Out of the 680 centers in the district’s five parliamentary constituencies, 675 general centers and 5 postal ballot centers have been designated. All centers are equipped with CCTV cameras monitored from district and upazila control rooms. Generators have been installed at 11 char-area centers without electricity.

For law and order, 1,150 army personnel led by 40 magistrates, 15 platoons of BGB, more than 2,000 police, 15 RAB teams, 8,775 Ansar-VDP members, and naval police will be deployed in the district. Additionally, Ansar members on duty at the centers will be equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Returning Officer confirmed that all preparations have been completed to ensure peaceful and fair voting.

END/SMA/AJ