As Bangladesh gears up for its general elections on February 12, intelligence agencies have raised alarms over potential criminal and political misuse of Rohingya refugees. Despite these concerns, the Election Commission’s proposal to fully seal Rohingya camps has been dismissed as impractical. Instead, the government is opting for a multi-layered security approach to safeguard the polls.
Reports from Dhaka Tribune highlight that the vast expanse of Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, coupled with inadequate infrastructure like boundary walls and surveillance systems, makes a complete lockdown unfeasible. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017 amid military crackdowns and have since settled here, with some even crossing into India’s border states.
Earlier this month, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah suggested sealing the camps and tightening border controls to prevent any interference in the electoral process. Fears persist that refugees could be exploited to disrupt voting or influence outcomes.
A National Task Force meeting on January 8, chaired by the Foreign Ministry, agreed that Rohingyas must not be misused during elections. Rather than lockdowns, the focus shifted to encircling camps with security perimeters.
An intelligence assessment sent to the Home Ministry on January 22 labeled camp sealing as ‘unrealistic.’ It warned of risks including sabotage, fake voting through alleged inclusion in voter lists, and recruitment for rallies or campaigns. Some Rohingyas have reportedly been found with illegal arms, heightening tensions.
To counter these threats, agencies recommend repairing damaged CCTV cameras and border walls, setting up checkpoints on routes from camps to polling stations seven days prior, detaining Rohingyas found outside camps, conducting raids for weapons, deploying security forces, and warning political parties against involving refugees.
These measures come amid broader election controversies, including vote rigging allegations, questions over security forces’ impartiality, and disputes among major parties. With over 127 million registered voters, concerns about Rohingyas in voter lists linger.
Adding to the mix, there’s growing worry over religion’s role in politics. Online Bengali portals note how democratic deficits, religious extremism, and hardline forces have complicated the landscape, with some leaders promising ‘paradise’ for supporting certain symbols or imposing Islamic law.
