DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - The government has allocated Tk 719,828,000 for installing CCTV cameras at 21,946 very important and risky polling stations across the country ahead of the 13th national parliament election and referendum slated for February 12.

The information was disclosed by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Abul Kalam Azad Majumder at a briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NICAR). 

Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam was also present.

Azad Majumder said that out of approximately 42,000 polling stations nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV coverage while cameras are installed in rest of the polling stations.

Of the polling stations, 21,946 have been declared as more important and risky. Special allocation has been made from the Finance Ministry for installing CCTV cameras in the polling stations. 

Under the special allocation from the Finance Ministry, at least six CCTV cameras will be installed at each of the identified risky centers. Installation in non-risky centers is being carried out using funds from local administrations, city corporations, and district administrations.

He noted that CCTV installation has already been completed in nearly 100 percent of polling centers in several districts, with Gazipur being a notable example. 

Of Gazipur’s 935 polling centers, 447 have been identified as risky, and most of them have already been brought under CCTV coverage under the special allocation. The remaining installations are expected to be completed by January 31.

The Deputy Press Secretary also said that 299 polling centers across the country currently lack electricity connections. Initiatives are underway to provide solar power to these centers, while administrations have been instructed to ensure electricity supply on the election day, including through generators if necessary.

At the press briefing, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam said the NICAR meeting discussed ways to improve law and order management in Dhaka metropolis amid rapid population growth. 

He said proposals such as dividing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) into north and south zones or restructuring it into multiple units were discussed, though no final decision has yet been made.

Shafiqul Alam also strongly condemned the recent violent incident in Chattogram’s Jungle Salimpur area, stating that all those involved would be brought to justice. 

He said joint forces would conduct stronger operations in the area, including combing operations to recover looted weapons from surrounding localities.