Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has directed officials and law enforcement agencies to take strict action against any attempt to disrupt public safety during the upcoming national parliamentary election.
The adviser said “There would be no compromise on law and order during the election.”
He issued the instruction while addressing a law and order coordination meeting held at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s conference room on Sunday.
The meeting was organised by the Rangpur divisional administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the 13th national parliamentary election and the 2026 referendum.
Home adviser instructed authorities to deal firmly with any attempt to create unrest and to ensure the safety of citizens before, during and after polling.
He stressed “Honesty, efficiency and professionalism of election officials and law enforcement personnel would be the main strength of the election.”
“No one, including returning officers, assistant returning officers or presiding officers, would be spared if ballot boxes were snatched or any irregularity occurred at polling centres” he added.
He also said a circular from the Home Ministry allows law enforcement agencies to enter polling premises if necessary.
The adviser directed authorities to arrest troublemakers quickly and take legal action against them. He said any activity that could influence or obstruct the election must be dealt with strictly.
To ensure a free and fair environment, he instructed law enforcement agencies to conduct intensive patrols for four days ahead of voting, with special attention to remote and riverine areas through coordinated operations among different forces.
The meeting was chaired by Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Nasimul Gani. Special guests included Director General of RAB (SIF) AKM Shahidur Rahman, Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam, and BGB Additional Director General (Operations and Training) Brigadier General Md Sohrab Hossain Bhuiyan.
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome address. Senior police and administrative officials from across the division attended the meeting.
In his remarks Nasimul Gani said “This election would see maximum use of training and technology by law enforcement agencies. Measures include the use of an Election Security App, body-worn cameras, CCTV surveillance and drones. Around nine lakh members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed nationwide, the highest number so far.”
“Presiding officers would be able to perform their duties with confidence, as each polling centre would have at least five to six armed personnel, including an armed Ansar member, along with striking forces and patrol teams” he added.
He expressed hope that collective efforts, with sincerity and determination, would deliver the best election in Bangladesh’s history.
Officials from district administrations, police, election offices, armed forces divisions, BGB and Rangpur Metropolitan Police also took part in the meeting.
Later, briefing journalists, the home adviser said the divisional-level law and order meetings had concluded with Rangpur and that preparations in the division were satisfactory.
He expressed hope that polling in Rangpur would remain peaceful, noting that the region is comparatively calm. Responding to a question, he said there was no risk of vote rigging and that the election would be held in a fully transparent, peaceful and festive environment.
