CA orders fast procurement of body-worn cameras to ensure transparent polls

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has instructed the authorities concerned to immediately procure adequate body-worn cameras for law enforcement agencies to ensure a transparent, peaceful and secure national election.

He issued the directive during a meeting held at the state guesthouse Jamuna in the capital on Tuesday.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to Chief Adviser (Telecom and ICT) Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam and representatives from various concerned agencies, among others, attended the meeting.

“We must complete all necessary preparations promptly to conduct a fair and peaceful election. It is important to build public confidence so that voters feel they have a safe and enabling environment to exercise their voting rights,” the CA said.

Prof Yunus instructed that the procurement process and related training be completed by December to prevent election-period violence or any untoward incidents effectively.

Alongside strengthening law enforcement capability, he stressed the need for establishing a robust framework to ensure no one can exploit the situation during the polls.

Taiyeb informed the meeting that preliminary training of police personnel has already started with existing body-worn cameras in stock.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam said police officers in every district will be given training once the new cameras arrive.

With the support of body-worn cameras, he said, election-time situations at polling stations will be monitored centrally, as well as from each police station and district Superintendent of Police offices.