Armed Forces might be deployed one week before the 11th National Elections slated for Dec 30. During a meeting at the Election Commission regarding the allotment of funds for law enforcers, talks came up that military, naval and air forces might take on electoral responsibilities for 10 days from Dec 23.

The EC is planning to deploy troops for 10 days, including the two days after polls but it will be finalised after meeting with law enforcers, said additional EC secretary, Md Mokhlesur Rahman.

However, Election Commissioner, Rafiqul Islam, said: “It has not yet been finalised when armed forces will be deployed. The Chief Election Commissioner is taking care of it.”

Although the Election Commissioner said that army will be deployed by Dec 15, sources said that up until one week prior to the polls, they will only be playing the role of field observers.

The opposition parties have been demanding that magistracy powers be handed over to the army from the very beginning but the EC said that the need for that might not arise.

Meanwhile, Border Guard Bangladesh, BGB, will be deployed for 11 days, police and RAB for seven days and Ansars for six days.