B Mirror Report : The government has allocated Tk 719.83 million to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 important and risky polling stations across the country in preparation for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

The information was shared by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Abul Kalam Azad Majumder during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Tuesday, following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NICAR). Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam was also present at the briefing.

Azad Majumder said there are around 42,000 polling stations nationwide, of which 6,552 already have CCTV coverage, while cameras are being installed at the remaining centers. Among them, 21,946 polling stations have been classified as highly important and risky, prompting a special allocation from the Ministry of Finance for enhanced security measures.

Under the special allocation, a minimum of six CCTV cameras will be installed at each identified risky polling station. For non-risky centers, CCTV installation is being funded through local administrations, city corporations, and district administrations, he added.

He further noted that CCTV installation has been completed in almost all polling stations in several districts, citing Gazipur as a significant example. Out of 935 polling centers in Gazipur, 447 have been marked as risky, and most have already been brought under CCTV surveillance through the special allocation. The remaining installations are expected to be completed by January 31.

The Deputy Press Secretary also informed that 299 polling stations across the country currently do not have electricity connections. Measures are being taken to provide solar power systems at those centers, while local administrations have been directed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply on election day, including the use of generators if required.

Speaking at the briefing, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the NICAR meeting also reviewed ways to strengthen law and order management in the Dhaka metropolitan area amid rapid population growth.

He said various proposals were discussed, including splitting the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) into north and south divisions or reorganizing it into multiple units, though no final decision has been taken yet.

Shafiqul Alam also strongly condemned the recent violent incident in the Jungle Salimpur area of Chattogram, asserting that those responsible would be brought to justice. He said joint forces would intensify operations in the area, including combing drives to recover looted weapons from nearby localities.