The Bangladesh Army on Wednesday said that law and order would return to normalcy if the planned national election in February is held.
“Like the country’s people, the Bangladesh Army is expecting a free, fair, impartial, and festive election in line with the timeframe outlined by the government,” said Army Training and Doctrine Command’s (ARTDOC) General Officer Commanding Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman at a media briefing at Dhaka Cantonment.
“The army is ready to provide maximum cooperation and fulfil its responsibilities in achieving that goal,” he assured.
Lieutenant Geneal Mainur said the election would further improve country’s stability, help normalise the law and order, and pave the way for the army’s return to barracks.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced that the 13th parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February next year. The Election Commission is proceeding with preparations to organise the polls accordingly.
Lieutenant Geneal Mainur said the timeframe for the election is included in that roadmap.
“We believe that if the election is held, the country’s stability will improve further, the law and order will gradually return to normal, and the army will then be able to return to the cantonments. We are looking forward to that,” he said.
“The army has faced major challenges over the past 15 months. It was not an easy situation. Bangladesh had not experienced circumstances like this before. That is why we, too, want a proper election to be held so that we can return to our cantonments,” he added.
Highlighting the army’s preparedness to assist in election-related duties, the army officer said the force is taking appropriate preparatory measures based on the framework prepared so far by the government for the upcoming election.
“Our training activities are currently limited in scope, but we are focusing on what our specific duties will be during the election,” he said.
Noting that the training of some army personnel has been disrupted as part of the force has been deployed outside barracks for the past 15 months, the army officer said: “If we have to remain deployed outside until the election, or even for some time afterwards, that would mean staying outside a bit longer. This situation is disrupting our regular training.”
He also said that various false campaigns were being spread about the army, which has been assisting the civil administration.
“Some vested quarters are deliberately spreading false, fabricated, and malicious propaganda. The army is now more united than ever before. The responsibilities entrusted to the army will be carried out faithfully.”
Rahman also said that between 90,000 and 100,000 soldiers will be deployed nationwide during the upcoming elections — a figure significantly higher than in any previous election period.
Brigadier General Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain and Brigadier General Md Mustafizur Rahman, director of the PS Directorate under the AG’s Branch at Army Headquarters, were also present during the briefing. Both senior army officers answered various questions from journalists.
