Fair, credible polls possible

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said a fair and credible election is possible under the current circumstances, expressing confidence in preparations for the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls.

He said political parties and candidates are maintaining a positive attitude and mutual harmony, but urged all stakeholders to remain prepared for any possible scenario.

“I hope that none of them will deviate from this approach,” Yunus said at a high-level meeting on the overall law-and-order situation ahead of the election and the referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter.

The meeting, chaired by Yunus, was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office and attended by advisers, force chiefs, senior government officials, and representatives from the Election Commission. Following the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

Yunus said the government would extend full support to the Election Commission to ensure Bangladesh can proudly claim a fair election.

“This is a major challenge for the nation. We must take it on, complete this enormous task, and turn it into a historic achievement,” he said.

He emphasised the need for flawless arrangements on polling day, stressing that no shortcomings or technical glitches should occur during voting.

The chief adviser said the 2026 election should serve as a benchmark for future polls. “The EC’s instructions are now the most important directives. Everyone must work together in strict accordance with them,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs will play the lead role in maintaining law and order, with body cameras and CCTV deployed and all activities monitored from a central control room.

Yunus also underscored the importance of seamless coordination among all forces assigned to election duties, noting that a large number of domestic and international journalists and observers are expected to monitor the polls.

“We must be prepared for everything. Given the current situation and the preparations in place, a fair and credible election is possible,” the chief adviser said.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the meeting that 51 of the 59 registered political parties are participating in the election, and representatives from 26 countries have been invited as observers.

The European Union is expected to send an observer team of around 300 members. Already, 56 EU representatives are in Bangladesh, and two have observed the appeal process related to nomination papers.

Candidates will be allowed to campaign from midnight tonight until 7:30 am on February 10, Akhtar said.

He warned that misinformation in cyberspace poses a major challenge in this election.

“Additional time will be needed to count party symbol ballots, referendum ballots, and postal ballots. So, I will urge the media to act responsibly to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours,” he said.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said members of the armed forces will be considered law enforcement personnel during this election and, if necessary, will be able to enter polling centre premises.

Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said 3,619 firearms and 456,418 rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations during the August 2024 mass uprising, with 2,259 firearms (62.4 percent) and 237,100 rounds (52 percent) recovered so far. He said coordinated measures are being taken to ensure public confidence and that, if continued, a peaceful election will be possible.

VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud said armed Ansar members will remain inside polling centres, ensuring no one can force out a rival candidate’s polling agent or conduct illegal activities inside the stations.

Advisers Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan; Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Hafiz; National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman; Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser; Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid; Navy Chief Rear Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan; Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan; Chief Adviser’s Chief Secretary M Siraj Uddin Mia; Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani; Police Inspector General Baharul Alam; Border Guard DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafulzzaman Siddiqui; Coast Guard DG Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haq; RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman; and heads of various intelligence agencies were among those present at the meeting.