Sundarbans, Feb 8 (V7N) — In preparation for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a nationwide referendum scheduled for February 12, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has deployed enhanced security operations at 66 high-risk and sensitive polling centers along the Sundarbans coastal belt. The measures include special intelligence surveillance, drone monitoring, regular patrols, and the implementation of all necessary legal actions to maintain law and order.

Speaking at a briefing on Saturday afternoon, Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, Media Officer at Coast Guard Headquarters in Dhaka, said the Coast Guard has been playing a vital role since its inception in ensuring security across Bangladesh’s vast maritime areas, coastal regions, and riverine zones. Through continuous operations aimed at protecting lives and property, the force has earned the trust of coastal communities as a reliable guardian of public safety.

He emphasized that the Coast Guard is fully committed to ensuring that the national election and referendum are conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. As part of this effort, Coast Guard personnel were deployed on January 18 and will remain on duty until February 14, covering a total of 28 days. During this period, they will be responsible for maintaining security at polling centers located in remote, coastal, and river-adjacent areas under their jurisdiction.

Under the Coast Guard West Zone, security duties are being carried out in designated election areas of Dacope and Koyra upazilas in Khulna-01 and Khulna-06 constituencies, as well as Mathbaria upazila in Pirojpur-03 constituency. In total, Coast Guard members are safeguarding 66 polling centers across 16 unions in these regions.

In addition to the parliamentary election, an interim government has arranged a referendum on the same day with the aim of building an accountable, welfare-oriented, and prosperous Bangladesh. Alongside maintaining election-time law and order, the Coast Guard remains alert and prepared to ensure citizens’ voting rights and to prevent any form of violence.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that the Coast Guard will continue to assist other law enforcement agencies and the local administration to guarantee comprehensive security for people of all religions and communities, as well as the protection of lives and property, throughout the West Zone’s areas of responsibility.

Reaffirming its commitment to the nation, the Bangladesh Coast Guard stated that it remains dedicated to creating an environment conducive to a free, fair, and impartial election and will continue to carry out its duties with vigilance and professionalism.

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