Dhaka, Dec. 13 -- In the wake of recent attacks targeting candidates and election facilities, the Election Commission (EC) has instructed police to beef up security at election offices nationwide, including those of the chief election commissioner, commissioners, the EC secretary, and returning officers.

The directive, issued on Saturday, was sent to the inspector general of police and relevant authorities to ensure heightened protection ahead of the general election and referendum scheduled for Feb 12.

A day after the schedule was announced on Thursday, a potential candidate, Sharif Osman bin Hadi, was shot in Dhaka and the Lakshmipur election office was targeted in an arson attack.

An EC official, asking not to be named, said the mea...