Intelligence reports ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 elections warn that Rohingya camps could become hubs for disruptive activities. Rejecting the Election Commission’s full lockdown idea, authorities favor a robust, layered security framework to ensure smooth voting.
The camps in Cox’s Bazar span massive areas with poor fencing and monitoring, rendering seals impossible, per Dhaka Tribune. Since the 2017 Myanmar violence, nearly a million Rohingyas have crammed into these sites, straining resources and spilling over to nearby borders, including India.
Commissioner Sanaullah’s recent call to isolate camps and bolster borders aimed to block any election meddling. Yet, a key task force meeting emphasized protection without isolation.
January 22’s intel report to the Home Ministry stressed realism: sealing is off the table. It flagged dangers like riots, bogus votes via manipulated lists, rally mobilizations, and arms proliferation among refugees.
Recommendations include urgent fixes to surveillance and walls, pre-election checkpoints, instant arrests outside camps, anti-arms sweeps, force deployments, and strict advisories to parties.
Elections face scrutiny over fraud claims, force bias, and party clashes, with 12.77 crore voters enrolled. Rohingya voter infiltration fears amplify risks.
Religion’s politicization adds fuel, as reports decry extremism’s rise in a democracy-starved environment, citing promises of heavenly rewards and Sharia pushes by candidates.