SRB Deployed for Thakurgaon-1 By-Election: Six Patrol Teams, Two Striking Teams, Drones and Dog Squad

The Special Response Battalion (SRB)-13 has stepped up security for the by-election in the Thakurgaon-1 parliamentary constituency. Six mobile patrol teams and two striking reserve teams will be on duty to ensure voters' safety.

SRB-13 commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Manzur Karim gave the details at a press conference held at the Thakurgaon Government Boys' High School ground at noon on Wednesday (28 October).

The Thakurgaon-1 by-election will be held tomorrow, Thursday (29 October). The constituency has a total of 515,853 voters.

Of the constituency's 185 polling centres, 115 have been marked as highly important and 70 as moderately important, the press conference was told.

SRB members have been on duty in the election area since 25 October. Their operation will continue on polling day and for two days afterwards, that is until 31 October.

A dog squad will be used to detect suspicious objects, a bomb disposal unit to deal with explosive-related risks, and drones to monitor the overall situation. Body-worn cameras will also be used to ensure transparency and accountability in performing duties.

An operations control room has been opened to coordinate field activities. SRB-13 will work in coordination with other law enforcement agencies and the administration to keep the law and order situation normal in the election area, prevent sabotage and violence, and deal with any unwanted situation.

At the press conference, voters were urged to exercise their voting rights without fear. People were also asked not to be misled by rumours and provocative information and to inform law enforcement agencies if they notice any suspicious activity. SRB-13 said it would perform its duties with maximum vigilance, neutrality and professionalism to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.

The Thakurgaon-1 seat fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected president in the presidential election on 20 August. In this by-election, BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin and several candidates of the 11-party alliance including Jamaat-e-Islami are contesting.