The interim government plans to procure at least 40,000 body-worn cameras for the police to enhance security at polling stations during the upcoming general elections in February. The matter was announced in a message sent by the Chief Advisor’s Press Wing on Sunday (August 10).
This was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka on Saturday.
Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Khoda Baks Chowdhury and Faiz Tayyab Ahmed were present at the meeting.
Faiz Tayyab Ahmed said the process of procuring 40,000 body cameras, commonly known as bodycams, is in the final stages. He said these devices will enhance security at thousands of vulnerable polling stations.
“We want to procure the bodycams by October so that the police force can receive adequate training on the key features of these bodycams, including their AI capabilities,” he said.
Bangladesh authorities have approached three companies in Germany, China and Thailand to supply the cameras. Police officers and constables will wear the devices on their chests during the election.
Principal Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directed officials to quickly procure the bodycams and ensure proper training for thousands of police personnel.
“We must ensure complete security at all polling stations, no matter the cost. Our goal is to make the February elections the most free, fair and peaceful in the country’s history,” he said.
At the meeting, the Special Assistant to the Principal Adviser on Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology also announced plans to launch an election app for the upcoming elections.
The app will provide detailed information on the February elections, including candidate details, polling station updates and a complaint submission system.
The chief advisor directed officials to quickly launch the app and ensure that it is user-friendly for the country’s more than 100 million voters.
