Bangladesh Election Commission tightens security to prevent Rohingya involvement in national voting

The Bangladesh Election Commission issues strict directives to prevent Rohingya refugees from engaging in the February 12 national election following intelligence warnings of potential security risks

Staff Reporter

Feb 8, 2026, 06:00 AM2 min read

Bangladesh Election Commission tightens security to prevent Rohingya involvement in national voting

Bangladesh election commission / Collected

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has imposed strict security measures to prevent Rohingya refugees from engaging in the national election and referendum scheduled for February 12, citing intelligence warnings of potential risks to the electoral process.

In directives issued Wednesday (February 6), the EC instructed returning officers, government agencies, and law enforcement to take preventive steps following intelligence and special reports flagging possible Rohingya involvement in election-related activities. The polls will be held in 299 constituencies nationwide, with security forces deployed from February 8 to 14.

Nearly 130 million voters are registered across the country, with voting set to take place at around 43,000 polling centres and some 250,000 booths. More than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees currently live in camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

Authorities have long alleged that some Rohingya moved outside the camps and obtained forged national identity documents. While previous steps focused on excluding them from voter lists, the latest measures aim to block any form of election-related engagement, including movement outside camps during the polling period.

Law enforcement agencies have been ordered to strengthen identity checks, tighten checkpoints, and increase patrols. According to a BNI report, there is concern that Rohingyas unlawfully included in voter rolls could attempt to vote or be used in political activities, amid the presence of armed groups and illegal weapons inside the camps.

Intelligence assessments also warned that candidates could exploit Rohingya individuals for campaigning, staffing polling centers, casting fake votes, or intimidating rivals. Unauthorized movement, misuse of camp out passes, and illegal crossings were flagged as major security threats, alongside fears that armed groups such as ARSA, RSO, and the Arakan Army could trigger unrest near border areas during the election period.

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