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Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky.
Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission.
Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general.
Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila.
According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres.
Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout.
Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting.
Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.