In response to reports suggesting that advisers are seeking a “safe exit,” Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam on Sunday firmly dismissed the claim, saying he has no personal reason to pursue such an option.
“My children are all here in the country. Why would I think about a safe exit? If someone else wants it, that’s their personal matter. I have nothing to do with it,” he told reporters after a core committee meeting on the law-and-order situation at the Secretariat.
On the issue of recovering stolen firearms, the adviser said he would share updates at the next meeting after consulting with the Inspector General of Police.
“Steps are being taken to ensure no one can destabilise the situation during the upcoming national election. Weapons can’t always be recovered immediately — that’s why law enforcement agencies are there. If all arms were recovered at once, their existence wouldn’t be necessary,” he explained.
The adviser expressed optimism that the forthcoming election would be held in a peaceful and organized manner.
When asked about the trial of accused military personnel, he clarified, “Whatever the law says will be implemented accordingly.”
He also said instructions have been given to deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, and officers-in-charge to act neutrally in the field during the election.
All high-risk polling stations will be placed under CCTV surveillance, with effective real-time monitoring. Additionally, law enforcers and election officials will be equipped with body-worn cameras to enhance security.
This time, those who were on duty during the 2014, 2018, and 2024 national elections will be avoided as much as possible, he noted.
Security measures will be intensified through regular patrols and expanded intelligence operations. Training programs for law enforcement will also be accelerated to ensure readiness ahead of the election.
Around 150,000 police personnel are set to receive election duty training at 130 venues in 28 batches. Training for the first group of 6,500 officers has already been completed, with the second batch currently in progress. The final training phase, which started on 5 October 2025, will conclude by 15 January 2026.
“To guarantee a smooth voting process, anyone attempting to create unrest will be identified and dealt with in line with the law. A coordinated strategy will be implemented to ensure a free and neutral election,” he said.
For additional support, around 585,000 Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party members will receive pre-election training, with 13 personnel assigned to each of the 45,000 polling centres. Of them, 135,000 will undergo armed training, while 450,000 will be trained in unarmed duties. Ansar Battalion members will also act as striking forces, with 3,157 new recruits currently in training.
In addition, 1,100 platoons comprising 33,000 members of Border Guard Bangladesh will be deployed nationwide. Training for 60% of BGB personnel has already been completed, with the remainder expected to finish by 31 December.
About 80,000 members of the armed forces will also be deployed to support security measures during the polls. The government, he emphasized, is taking every possible step to prevent any deterioration in law and order, particularly during the constituency demarcation process.
