FREE and fair elections are fundamental to democracy, relying on state institutions — especially the police and other security forces — to maintain security, neutrality and public trust. In Bangladesh, political polarisation, declining institutional credibility and the rise of digital manipulation have complicated this role. The misuse of AI, through deepfakes, bots and targeted disinformation, threatens electoral integrity, while AI also presents opportunities for enhanced monitoring and data-driven policing. Strengthening police capacity thus requires structural reforms, professional training, oversight and adoption of advanced technological tools to address both traditional and emerging digital security challenges.
To enable the police to meet these challenges and fulfil their constitutional role effectively, a multifaceted strategy is needed.
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Institutional reforms and professionalisation
AS OBSERVED in previous election periods, the Election Commission assumed control over personnel responsible for managing and conducting the polls. Currently, the ministry of home affairs and the Election Commission are preparing action plans, including a notable proposal to reassign district commissioners, superintendents of police, upazila nirbahi officers and officers-in-charge through a lottery system — an idea that has sparked amusement and even laughter in the public parlance, as though election management were being reduced to a game of chance. The objective behind this policy is to disrupt and curb any pre-existing affiliations or psychological biases that might have developed between officials and local political actors or candidates. While this approach may appear to promote impartiality, it also carries certain drawbacks. Senior police officers and officers of other departments involved in the election process, in particular, often require an in-depth understanding of local communities, geography, crime patterns and key public figures to perform their duties effectively. A newly transferred officer may struggle to acquire such critical knowledge within a limited time frame, potentially undermining both their operational readiness and leadership effectiveness during the election period. Experts emphasise that transfers and postings during the election period should be guided strictly by merit and professionalism, rather than by any other considerations. Reassigning officials from their current postings, requiring election staff to pledge neutrality and strengthening independent monitoring at the district level could help curb abuse of power. Without such measures, even the most carefully designed security plans risk collapsing from within.
During the election period, each police station across Bangladesh shall undertake a comprehensive security risk assessment and establish an effective early warning system. This process will help us identify and analyse the specific vulnerabilities and risk factors associated with each polling centre. Based on the findings, police authorities can develop tailored security plans that align with the localised needs and threat levels. Given that the security situation is dynamic and may shift at different stages of the electoral process — before, during and after the polls — these assessments must be conducted periodically to ensure timely updates and adaptive response strategies.
The deployment of security personnel during the election should be bolstered by the presence of striking forces, particularly paramilitary units and the army, which play a pivotal role in maintaining nationwide stability and responding to high-risk situations. To ensure preparedness for any eventuality, there must be a well-coordinated emergency or evacuation plan in place. This plan should outline clear protocols for the immediate withdrawal of polling personnel and voters in the event of violence, clashes between rival groups, armed attacks on polling centres, or if voting needs to be postponed due to security concerns. Such contingency planning is essential to safeguard lives, preserve order and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Since the July 2024 uprising, the armed forces have been operating in the field with magisterial authority to stabilise the security situation, particularly focusing on the eventual transfer of power to an elected government. They are expected to continue reinforcing and maintaining stability throughout the interim period.
The armed forces have long-standing experience in assisting civil authorities during national elections. In times of crisis, their role becomes even more significant. Despite all efforts to ensure a free and fair election, sporadic incidents of violence, conflict and confrontation may still occur before, during, or after the polling day.
A senior police officer shared an incident with the writer regarding a remote polling centre in Chandpur. The election was conducted peacefully and without any complaints. However, immediately after the results were announced, supporters of a defeated candidate began to protest violently, throwing bricks, blocking the exit routes and preventing election officials and security personnel from leaving the premises.
As the situation escalated and night approached, the personnel became exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed. A rescue team, supported by army personnel, was dispatched to the scene. They managed to disperse the unlawful crowd and safely evacuate those trapped inside. Due to the unavailability of transport, along with others, a senior army major personally carried one of the ballot boxes and walked several miles to reduce the load on his team and ensure the safe delivery of election materials. Such situations may arise anywhere, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas on election day. To address this, paramilitary forces and the army should be sensitised and thoroughly briefed in advance to ensure a timely and effective response.
The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Bangladesh is a paramilitary auxiliary organisation that plays a vital role in maintaining internal security, particularly during elections. Comprised of both armed and unarmed personnel, Ansars and VDP are deployed nationwide to support the police and other law enforcement agencies in ensuring a peaceful electoral environment. The armed Ansars, in particular, carry out critical duties such as guarding polling centres, escorting election materials and assisting in crowd control. Given their proximity to sensitive electoral processes, they must receive proper and comprehensive training — not only in the use of force and weapons handling, but also in conflict de-escalation, voter rights and the legal framework governing elections, including the Representation of the People Order.
One key characteristic of the VDP is that they are often locally recruited, which enhances their familiarity with the terrain and the community. However, this also raises concerns about their neutrality, especially in politically polarised environments. Therefore, before deployment, careful attention must be paid to their backgrounds, political affiliations and community perceptions to ensure they can carry out their responsibilities impartially. The Election Commission, in coordination with the ministry of home affairs, should adopt a vetting mechanism to minimise partisan influence within this force. As highlighted in reports by the Election Working Group and international observers in past elections, the credibility of the electoral process is significantly influenced by the behaviour and professionalism of security personnel, including the Ansars. Their conduct can either reassure or intimidate voters, especially in rural and conflict-prone constituencies. Hence, ensuring their ethical readiness and political neutrality is as important as their operational competence.
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Capacity building and training
TO ENSURE professional, impartial and effective policing during elections, comprehensive capacity-building programmes must be undertaken for police officers and Ansar and VDP personnel at all levels. Training should cover election security protocols, human rights protection, conflict de-escalation, crowd management, the lawful and proportionate use of force and the legal framework underpinning free and fair elections. This capacity-building must go beyond theory, incorporating scenario-based simulations that mirror real-life election challenges, such as managing political rallies, countering misinformation and responding to sudden outbreaks of violence. A key focus should be on restraint, professionalism and strict adherence to electoral laws, with security personnel unlearning entrenched practices like voter manipulation and vote rigging, thereby safeguarding democratic processes and reinforcing public trust.
Furthermore, joint briefings involving other security agencies — such as the Armed Forces, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh — should be conducted to strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve response time and ensure seamless communication during critical situations. By building the professional competence and ethical awareness of law enforcement personnel, such training will contribute significantly to fostering public trust and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Given the scale and urgency of the threat, strategic deployment of specialised forces is essential. While the Rapid Action Battalion faces reputational concerns due to allegations of extrajudicial actions, its organisational discipline, tactical capacity and superior equipment make it a critical asset in immediate stabilisation efforts. Limited, targeted RAB operations focused on high-priority objectives — notably the apprehension of high-risk fugitives and the recovery of looted arms and ammunition — could significantly reduce short-term security risks, while allowing regular police units to focus on restoring community trust and re-establishing routine law enforcement functions.
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Psycho-social support and motivation
ADDRESSING the morale and psychological well-being of police personnel is essential for ensuring their effective and impartial performance during the election period. The government should implement morale-boosting initiatives, including counselling support, legal protection for officers acting within the bounds of the law and public recognition for professionalism and neutrality. Restoring confidence among law enforcement requires a visible appreciation of those who uphold their duty with integrity.
In addition, the Election Commission must actively support the lawful and legitimate efforts of all officials engaged in conducting the election, thereby reinforcing the credibility of the process. Experience under caretaker governments — where three national elections were widely recognised as free and fair — demonstrated that when all personnel involved in the electoral process receive adequate institutional backing and protection, successful outcomes are possible. To support these efforts, the Election Commission must actively adopt best practices from past credible elections while taking all necessary measures to prevent any recurrence of irregularities. Such steps are essential for promoting institutional accountability and fostering long-term public trust in the electoral process.
Following the events of August 5, 2024, police personnel were compelled to abandon their workplaces, including police stations, due to attacks by demonstrators. Since then, sporadic assaults and acts of vandalism targeting police facilities — particularly police stations and investigation centres — have continued to occur. Given the anticipated heavy deployment of police and other security forces across the country on the day of the election, only a limited number of officers will remain at police stations to carry out routine duties. To mitigate the risk of targeted attacks or vandalism by vigilante groups, robust security measures will be put in place to fortify these facilities. Additionally, an emergency response plan will be prepared to enable rapid reinforcement in the event of any mob attack or vandalism.
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Strengthening accountability and oversight
TO UPHOLD the integrity of the electoral process, a robust and independent election-time oversight mechanism must be established. This body should be composed of retired judges, respected members of civil society, senior journalists and representatives from the Election Commission. Its mandate would include monitoring the behaviour and performance of all key stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies such as the police, paramilitary forces and local administration, to ensure strict adherence to the principles of neutrality, legality and professionalism.
Such a mechanism would serve multiple purposes; it would promote transparency, ensure real-time accountability and act as a trusted platform for receiving and addressing complaints or grievances from the public, candidates, or political parties. The presence of a credible and impartial oversight body can deter misconduct, reinforce lawful conduct and enhance public confidence in the electoral process. Regular briefings, public reports and a dedicated hotline or online portal for reporting violations should be part of this initiative. Ultimately, effective oversight will help maintain a level playing field and safeguard the democratic legitimacy of the election.
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Engagement with communities and media
REBUILDING public trust in the police is essential for a peaceful and credible election and this depends on proactive engagement with communities, civil society, observers and the media. Open communication through community meetings, town halls and briefings can clarify the role of law enforcement, dispel misunderstandings and counter harmful narratives, while transparent updates on security measures help reduce anxiety and curb rumours that fuel unrest. By demonstrating accessibility, accountability and neutrality, the police can strengthen community partnerships that deter electoral violence. Complementing this with community-level committees, intelligence-led policing and rapid deployment in known trouble spots would provide a preventive framework to address tensions before they escalate, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process.
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Leveraging technology
INTEGRATING advanced technology into election-time policing can significantly enhance transparency, accountability and operational efficiency. Tools such as surveillance cameras, body-worn cameras, GPS-tracking devices and digital reporting platforms can be deployed to monitor police conduct, ensure proper documentation of incidents and deter any form of abuse or misconduct. In particular, body cams worn by police and security personnel can record interactions with voters, election officials and political activists, providing reliable evidence in the event of disputes or allegations. These technologies not only help maintain discipline among field-level personnel but also build public trust by promoting professionalism and impartial law enforcement.
At a broader level, real-time monitoring of high-risk or sensitive zones through drones and centralised command centres allows for early detection of potential threats or irregularities. Drones offer aerial surveillance over polling centres, especially in remote or conflict-prone areas, helping election authorities and law enforcement detect unlawful gatherings or suspicious activity. The deployment of mobile units and rapid response teams — guided by GPS and digital intelligence —ensures swift and informed action when unrest arises. Additionally, data-driven resource allocation based on historical trends or live field inputs can make policing during elections more responsive and efficient. Collectively, these innovations contribute to a safer, more credible and transparent electoral environment.
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Combating rumours, disinformation and misinformation
THE rapid spread of rumours, disinformation and misinformation through digital and social media threatens the credibility of elections, public trust in institutions and overall law and order by inciting panic and violence. To address this, a comprehensive communication strategy is needed, combining real-time monitoring, fact-checking and swift public clarifications through collaboration between the Election Commission, law enforcement, media units and watchdog organisations. At the same time, public education on identifying false content and accountability for political actors who deliberately mislead is essential. Such a coordinated approach can safeguard electoral integrity, build public confidence and promote a stable and peaceful electoral environment.
Bangladesh’s Election Commission faces an urgent challenge in addressing the misuse of artificial intelligence in the electoral process, as tools such as deepfakes, voice cloning and synthetic campaign materials increasingly distort political discourse and undermine electoral integrity. To counter these threats, the EC must establish strong legal and regulatory frameworks, revising the Representation of the People Order and electoral code of conduct to criminalise deceptive AI practices. A dedicated Election Cybersecurity and Disinformation Monitoring Cell, working with technology platforms and social media companies, is essential for detecting and neutralising malicious content in real time. Training for journalists, election officials and police is also crucial to enable early recognition and response to digital manipulation before it shapes public perception.
At the same time, AI presents both risks and opportunities for election security. While it can fuel disinformation, inflame tensions and complicate law enforcement responses, it can also be harnessed for proactive monitoring of threats, data-driven decision-making and anticipation of potential flashpoints. To strike this balance, the EC must promote digital literacy among voters, journalists and political stakeholders, collaborate with civil society and media to run awareness campaigns and deploy explainable AI (XAI) for transparency and accountability. Political parties should also commit to ethical standards, refraining from deceptive AI use and clearly labelling legitimate AI-generated content. A multi-stakeholder strategy — bringing together media, civil society, law enforcement and research institutions — will be vital to protect electoral integrity. With AI misuse already affecting most global elections, Bangladesh’s ability to adapt decisively will determine whether technology strengthens or undermines its democratic future.
The upcoming national elections in early 2026 represent a critical test for Bangladesh’s democratic resilience, political maturity and institutional integrity. In this context, the police force has a defining role to play, not only in ensuring law and order during the electoral process but also in upholding public confidence in democratic governance. Their responsibility goes beyond security enforcement; it includes embodying a renewed commitment to justice, neutrality and public service. Although burdened with a difficult legacy and facing significant institutional challenges, the Bangladesh Police can begin to reclaim public trust through professional conduct, meaningful reform and transparent accountability mechanisms. To achieve this, the interim government, the Election Commission and the public at large must work in unison to ensure that the police are empowered to act not as instruments of political power but as impartial protectors of democratic principles.
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Dr Md Motiar Rahman is a retired deputy inspector general of police.
