Police promise voters safety in Dhaka

Dhaka City police assured voters on Friday that there would be no trouble during Sunday’s national election.

“Tight security measures have been taken to provide a safe atmosphere for the voters,” Md Asaduzzaman Mia, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, told reporters.

“They can come to the polling centres without fear [of violence] and go back home safely,” he said after visiting Willes Little Flower School voting centre in Kakrail in the afternoon. 

He said there would be adequate security arrangement for voters at 2,133 polling centres and agents of the candidates would get police protection.

“Check posts will be set up at key points and mobile teams will remain alert. Four control rooms have been set up in Gulshan, Rajarbagh Police Lines, Abdul Gani Road and Mirpur to monitor the overall situation on the day,” Asaduzzaman said.

Exception for commuters, ambulances

There is a ban on the movement of vehicles from Saturday midnight to Sunday midnight. Only designated vehicles will be allowed on the streets during this period.

However, passengers, travelling to local and international destinations, can use vehicles to go to train stations, launch terminals and airports. But they must carry necessary travel documents and produce them during checks.

Ambulances carrying serious patients will not be barred, the police officer said. The traffic department has been directed to take necessary steps.

“The vehicles will be checked,” the DMP chief said. “The measures are to ensure that no one can create disorder and disrupt balloting.”_UNB