Armed forces will remain deployed across the country for eight days from Wednesday to assist the local civil administration in holding a free, fair and peaceful election scheduled for 7 January as per Section 126 of the constitution's "in aid to the civil power."

The armed forces will provide assistance to the Election Commission (EC) and local civil administration from 3 January to 10 January countrywide to ensure peace and order before, during and after the election day, read an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release on Tuesday.

Members of the armed forces will be stationed at nodal points and other convenient places in every district, upazila and metropolitan areas.

Upon request from the returning officers concerned and through coordination with stakeholders, the area-base deployment has been completed, said the ISPR.

Members of the Bangladesh Army have been assigned in 62 districts while the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) alone will perform duty in 45 upazilas.

Moreover, the army in coordination with the BGB and the Coast Guard will perform duty in 47 bordering upazilas and four coastal upazilas respectively.

Members of the Bangladesh Navy will remain deployed in 19 coastal upazilas, including in Bhola and Barguna districts.

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) will provide helicopter assistance to polling stations in the hilly remote areas.

Moreover, a sufficient number of helicopters of the BAF have been kept ready to provide electoral assistance.

A cell in coordination with several ministries, divisions, and representatives from the law enforcement agencies has been set up at the Armed Forces Division, which will remain effective till 10 January.

The armed forces have taken an all-out preparation to provide necessary assistance to ensure peace and order centering the 12th national parliamentary election.