EC to Deploy CCTV at All Polling Centres for 13th National Election
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to use CCTV cameras at all polling centres across the country to monitor the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum. Existing CCTV systems at polling centres will be kept operational, while temporary cameras will be installed at centres without CCTV coverage, limited to election day.
The decision emerged from the official minutes of a coordination meeting between the EC and secretaries and senior officials of various government ministries and agencies.
According to EC sources, the Commission was initially reluctant to introduce CCTV surveillance at polling centres due to concerns over increased election expenditure. However, field-level assessments revealed that most polling centres already have CCTV cameras, meaning that keeping them functional would not significantly raise costs. Temporary CCTV systems will be installed only at centres where no such facilities currently exist.
In the meantime, the EC has already instructed all educational institutions designated as polling centres to ensure that their existing CCTV systems remain operational. The directive was issued by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain and sent to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and the Local Government Division.
The instructions state that polling centres must be made voter-friendly ahead of election day, including necessary infrastructure repairs. Centres without electricity must be provided with power connections, and all existing CCTV systems must be kept functional. Institutions without CCTV facilities have been requested to arrange at least temporary CCTV coverage for election day.
Previously, after learning of the EC’s hesitation over cost concerns, several political parties—including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)—called for CCTV installation at all polling centres in the interest of holding a free and peaceful election. Some parties also submitted written applications to the Commission on the matter.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with law enforcement agencies on 27 November, a report identified 8,226 polling centres as “high-risk” and 20,437 centres as “risk-prone” for the upcoming election.
In light of the situation, EC sources said instructions have been issued to ensure CCTV functionality, electricity, and internet connectivity at polling centres. District Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and Upazila Nirbahi Officers have also been directed to personally inspect polling centres. Relevant ministries and departments, including the education, local government, and power divisions, have been instructed to ensure implementation.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah confirmed that directives have been issued to keep existing CCTV systems operational and to arrange temporary CCTV coverage where none exists. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs will act as the lead ministry in formulating the overall security plan for the election.
DBTech/MUM/EK/OR
