Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) M Khurshid Hossain asserted today that the voting atmosphere in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election surpassed that of the 2014 and 2018 polls. Speaking at a media interaction after visiting various polling centers in the capital, Hossain stated that people were voting freely and with great enthusiasm, noting a distinct absence of panic among the voters during the polling process.
After inspecting the Motijheel Ideal School and College polling station, Hossain expressed satisfaction with the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere in which the voting took place. He reported that thus far, there had been no issues in Dhaka city, emphasizing the coordination efforts with RAB, police, and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Hossain expressed confidence that the polls would ultimately proceed across the country in a peaceful environment.
Addressing the Onside Identification and Verification System (OIVS), the RAB DG clarified that the system is used to identify outsiders or non-voters attempting to disrupt the process. He highlighted the use of IVM devices to identify individuals with potential terrorist affiliations. Hossain acknowledged that the election boycott by BNP-Jamaat had created a panicky situation but assured the public that adequate measures were in place to address any concerns.
Responding to questions about post-election security measures, Hossain conveyed confidence, stating, “We are not afraid, but there are adequate measures on how to deal with that fear. You can be sure that there is no such danger. None can succeed even if they try.”
Regarding voters’ trust in law enforcement agencies, he reiterated the commitment to ensuring a secure and trouble-free voting process. Hossain emphasized the implementation of necessary security measures at every polling station, with a focus on the safety of voters, polling station personnel, and officers during the counting of votes to facilitate a smooth conclusion to the electoral proceedings.
