Representational Image.

DHAKA, Nov 11, 2025 (BSS) – The process of purchasing 40,000 body-worn cameras is expected to be completed within a day or two to strengthen security at polling centres during the upcoming general election scheduled for February next year.

“The process of purchasing body-worn cameras will be completed by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told the media after an advisory council meeting on law and order at his ministry in the Bangladesh Secretariat today.

Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), also known as bodycams, are wearable audio, video, or photographic recording devices typically attached to a police officer’s uniform or helmet to document their activities and collect evidence from law enforcement operations.

Footage recorded by bodycams helps prevent and resolve complaints, enhance transparency, and improve police performance and accountability. They are considered highly effective tools, providing reliable audio-visual records of interactions and critical evidence during crimes, police-citizen encounters, or use-of-force incidents.

Earlier, on September 23, the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs (ACCEA) approved the procurement proposal for around 40,000 body-worn cameras for police to enhance security at voting booths during the upcoming general election.

The approval was given at the 31st meeting of the ACCEA held at the Cabinet Division in the city, with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr. Salehuddin stated that the procurement process for the body cameras will be handled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"The police will be given 40,000 body cameras during the national parliamentary election. The proposal to buy these cameras has been approved. They must be brought in quickly," he said.

The government is committed to ensuring that the forthcoming 13th parliamentary polls are held in a free, fair, neutral, credible, and festive manner. As part of this pledge, the government has decided to purchase the body-worn cameras and provide electoral training to people, including law enforcers.

The government has also prepared a roadmap to ensure unprecedented security arrangements around polling centres across the country during the upcoming elections, ensuring a peaceful and festive poll.

As part of the roadmap, around 1.50 lakh police, 5.50 lakh Ansar, around one lakh army personnel, and over 30,000 BGB personnel will be deployed across the country to safeguard polling centres and ensure overall security in the forthcoming elections.