6 lakh Ansar to guard polls nationwide
Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party will station 600,000 personnel at voting sites for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Director General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud announced on Thursday that members will implement a digital tracking system connecting national identification numbers with attendance records. The force represents the primary security presence at polling locations while coordinating with other enforcement agencies.
Training programs began last August and continue until voting commences. Authorities completed instruction for 120,000 members, while another 150,000 remain in sessions. The organization reduced entry age requirements to 18 to 25 years to attract younger participants. Women comprise nearly half of the total membership.
Armed and unarmed officers receive new uniforms and protective equipment for field deployment. Headquarters staff will monitor performance through software that evaluates conduct and efficiency. Special preparation focuses on the districts surrounding Dhaka to ensure adequate coverage of the metropolitan areas. Refresher courses address crowd control and communication protocols after schedule announcements.
The 6 million-member organization provides disaster response and development assistance beyond electoral duties. The Sanjibon Project delivers microcredit and entrepreneurship training through partnerships with Ansar Development Bank. Vocational programs teach driving, electrical work, caregiving and freelancing skills to volunteer forces.
