Bangladesh is preparing to hold its general election on February 12, 2026, under the largest security operation in the country’s history. With record numbers of law enforcement personnel, cutting-edge technology such as drones and body-worn cameras, and extensive CCTV coverage at polling stations, authorities aim to ensure a peaceful and credible voting process. This election marks a major democratic milestone following political upheaval in 2024.
Officials say security measures are unprecedented in scale, reflecting both the scale of political interest and concerns about maintaining order across the nation’s tens of thousands of polling centres.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Over Half of Polling Centres Marked ‘Risk-Prone’
Police have identified more than 24,000 out of roughly 43,000 polling centres as either high-risk or moderately risk-prone, meaning more than half of all voting locations could potentially face security challenges.
In Dhaka alone, the police’s list shows that over 1,600 centres were flagged as risk-prone, far higher than what the army reported in its own assessment.
To address these concerns, the Election Commission (EC) said it deployed security based on detailed risk assessments at local levels and is satisfied with the overall law-and-order situation. “Security deployment is being made based on local sensitivity assessments,” Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah told reporters.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: CCTV Cameras & Drones Provide Real-Time Monitoring
For the first time in Bangladesh’s electoral history, technology plays a central role in election security. More than 90 per cent of polling stations have been equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to track activity at booths and surrounding areas.
In addition, police personnel, especially in high-sensitivity areas — will wear body-worn cameras to capture real-time footage and enhance transparency.
Authorities are also using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones to oversee crowds and remote locations, allowing law enforcement to respond quickly to potential threats or disturbances.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Record Number of Security Personnel Safeguard Election Day
The scale of manpower deployed across Bangladesh is historic. Nearly 958,000 security personnel, including members of police, armed forces, and auxiliary law enforcement, will be on duty to maintain order from polling stations to transport routes.
Officials also highlighted the involvement of executive and judicial magistrates to oversee processes and intervene if necessary. This deployment is aimed not only at election day itself but also at preventing post-poll violence and disturbances that have marred past elections.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Voting Logistics & First-Time Voters
Balloting will take place at 42,659 centres nationwide from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, with voting continuing for anyone inside a centre at closing time. Bangladesh’s electorate is vast, with over 127 million registered voters, including nearly 3.6 per cent first-time voters who are casting their ballots for the first time.
The vote covers 299 constituencies, though voting in Sherpur-3 was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Why This Election Matters?
This election is widely seen as a major test of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions. It takes place alongside a referendum on an 84-point reform package that includes term limits and checks on power, which could reshape governance in the future.
International observers from groups such as the European Union and the Commonwealth are expected to monitor voting and the tabulation process, adding global scrutiny to the political exercise.
On the political front, the contest mainly pits the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies against other parties in a race that follows the ouster and disbandment of the Awami League under the interim government.
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Can Security Measures Ensure Peaceful Polls?
While officials insist security preparations are robust, analysts and civil society groups say the effectiveness of CCTV, drones, and body cameras will only become clear once voting begins. Observers stress that technology must be paired with fair enforcement and respect for voters’ rights to build confidence in the process.
In the lead-up to February 12, Bangladesh has tightened efforts to counter violence and intimidation, but for many citizens this election remains a critical opportunity to shape the nation’s democratic future.
