Election Commission completes security preparations in Khulna for peaceful, fear-free parliamentary election and referendum. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commission has completed all preparations in Khulna to hold the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum in a free, fair, neutral and fear-free environment.

Ballot papers for both the parliamentary election and the referendum have already been delivered to the respective returning officers.

A total of 840 polling centres across six parliamentary constituencies in Khulna have been brought under CCTV surveillance as part of extensive security arrangements.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer A S M Jamshed Khondaker told BSS that all polling centres have been placed under CCTV coverage, while the army has already begun operating as a striking force with around 1,100 personnel deployed.

He said two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and two platoons of Ansar will patrol in each upazila. In addition, 13 Ansar members, including four armed personnel, will be deployed at every polling centre. One armed Ansar member will also be attached to each assistant returning officer.

Jamshed Khondaker said two magistrates have been deployed in each upazila, while an inquiry committee has been formed under the leadership of a joint assistant judge. Altogether, 40 executive magistrates and 14 judicial magistrates are on duty in Khulna city and adjoining areas.

Regarding risk assessment, he said all polling centres are being treated as sensitive, while 558 centres have been identified as highly vulnerable and will receive enhanced security. Body cameras will be used at polling centres, patrol teams will visit centres every 20 minutes and immediate action will be taken in case of any untoward incident.

RAB-6 Commander Nistar Ahmed said 68 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) patrol teams have been deployed across eight districts of Khulna division. RAB will remain ready as a striking force and act as per instructions from the returning officers.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Coast Guard will ensure security at 66 polling centres in 16 unions of three coastal upazilas under three constituencies. 

Coast Guard West Zone Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the force will be deployed in Dacope of Khulna-1, Koyra of Khulna-6 and Mathbaria of Pirojpur-3 constituencies. Security will be maintained through intelligence surveillance, drone monitoring and regular patrols.

Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan told BSS that about 2,900 police personnel will be deployed at polling centres in Khulna-2 and Khulna-3 constituencies, with both uniformed and plainclothes intelligence units maintaining vigilance.

The media wing of the Khulna Range DIG office said a total of 16,755 police personnel will be deployed across 10 districts of Khulna division to ensure overall election security, alongside joint force patrols.