Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said the interim government would hand over responsibility to the elected government as soon as possible following the national election, expressing optimism that the process would be completed by February 17 or 18. “The transfer of power will be done as soon as possible. If members of parliament are sworn in within three days, the leader of the majority party will be invited to take the oath as Prime Minister. This could happen by February 15 or 16, and I do not think it will be delayed beyond February 17 or 18,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. The 13th national parliamentary election is scheduled for February 12. A referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter will also be held on the same day. Meanwhile, the Council of Advisers decided that all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous offices will operate from 9am to 3:30pm during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the CAO with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus presiding. During office hours, a 15-minute break from 1:00pm to 1:15pm will be observed for Zohr prayers. According to the Islamic Foundation, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19, subject to the sighting of the moon. Press Secretary Alam said since assuming office in August 2024, the interim government has taken 526 decisions and issued 116 ordinances, with 439 decisions already implemented, reflecting an implementation rate of 83.46 percent. He said the figures were presented earlier in the day at the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO). The interim government held 68 regular weekly meetings between August 8, 2024, and January 31, 2026, with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair, and took 526 decisions. Of these, 439 have already been implemented, marking an implementation rate of 83.46 percent, Alam said. During this period, a total of 116 ordinances were issued, while 16 ordinances remain under process. Of the pending ordinances, three have already received policy-level approval, he added. The Press Secretary also said 30 policy-related instruments, including policies, guidelines, strategies, and action plans, were undertaken during this timeframe. Among them, 16 have been signed or ratified, while the remaining 14 are currently under implementation. In addition, the interim government has entered into 14 bilateral agreements during the same period. Highlighting the government’s performance, Alam said the implementation rate of decisions was exceptionally high compared with previous governments. He emphasised that the ordinances were not limited to minor or symbolic changes; rather, many involved substantive reforms expected to have far-reaching and transformative impacts on the lives of the people of Bangladesh. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad, and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.

The Bangladesh Army considers the spread of false and misleading information on social media the “biggest threat” to the national election, a senior officer has said. On Thursday, he called for cooperation from all quarters, warning against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The remarks were made by Brig Gen Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain, director of the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters, at a press conference at the Roller Skating Complex in Gulistan. He said such disinformation is aimed at “portraying candidates or political parties negatively”, discouraging voters from going to polling centres, questioning the neutrality of individuals or institutions involved in the election, or exaggerating minor incidents to spread fear among the public. “In preventing this propaganda, we seek your assistance. If objective, factual and timely news is published, it will be easier to counter this falsehood and misinformation,” he said. Brig Gen Dewan said the Army has completed its preparations to ensure that the parliamentary election is free, fair and peaceful. For the first time, he said, the Army will carry out its duties up to the polling centre premises so that voters can go to cast their ballots without fear. Asked why more troops are being deployed than in previous elections, he said: “We have repeatedly said that we are deploying 100,000 Army personnel for this election. “In previous elections, we deployed a maximum of 40,000 to 42,000 troops. Why this huge difference, why have we gone to the field in such large numbers -- the difference this time is that the armed forces have been allowed to go up to the polling centre premises, which was not the case in previous elections. “At that time, we were positioned at distant locations as a striking force.” He said the chief of Army Staff deployed the minimum number of troops needed to ensure voters can safely reach polling centres and vote, while assigning the rest to ensure a credible election. Due to insufficient transport, vehicles were sought from the civil administration, he added. Referring to a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report, he was asked why violence and killings occurred despite the Army’s presence. He replied: “Up to Jan 20, 35,000 Army personnel were deployed. These incidents occurred when 35,000 were present. Would the situation have improved or worsened if we were not there? “We need to understand these issues… We are a densely populated country. Even after deploying 100,000 troops, it is truly inadequate… Still, there has been no lack of effort.” He said incidents declined after 100,000 troops were deployed after Jan 20 and claimed the Army’s presence has boosted public confidence. He said the Army has set up 544 temporary camps across 62 districts, 411 Upazilas and metropolitan areas. “After the deployment of 100,000 troops in the past 14 days, more than 150 weapons have been recovered… A total of 22,320 identified criminals have been arrested and handed over to police,” he said. He added that troop deployment was based on threat assessments.

The Election Commission has ordered a series of measures to prevent Rohingya refugees from taking part in the Feb 12 national election and the referendum. In letters sent on Wednesday, the EC instructed relevant departments and returning officers to take action based on special reports from different agencies highlighting potential risks linked to Rohingya involvement in election activities. The parliamentary election and referendum will be held in 299 constituencies. Law-enforcing agencies will remain deployed from Feb 8 to Feb 14, covering the four days before polling, election day, and two days afterwards, according to the home ministry. Nearly 130 million voters are registered for the election, with polling arranged at around 43,000 centres and roughly 250,000 voting booths nationwide. More than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine State currently live in camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. Over the years, reports have surfaced of some Rohingyas spreading to other parts of the country and obtaining fake national identity cards and passports. While the EC has previously taken steps to prevent Rohingyas from being included in the voter list, it is now moving to stop them from engaging in any election-related activities. As part of the measures, Rohingya refugees will not be allowed to leave camps during the voting period. The EC has also directed law-enforcing agencies to remain vigilant, strengthen identity checks, and intensify searches at checkpoints. At a meeting in early January, a home ministry report warned of the presence of armed groups and illegal weapons inside Rohingya camps. It noted that some Rohingya people illegally included in voter lists might attempt to vote or participate in political activities. The report recommended preventing Rohingya involvement in politics, launching drives to recover illegal arms, setting up checkpoints at least seven days before polling, restricting unauthorised movement, and closely monitoring the movement of foreigners to maintain law and order. Another report flagged the risk of “illegal interference” in the electoral process, including the possible use of Rohingya members by MP candidates for local campaigning, staffing polling centres, casting fake votes in exchange for money, or suppressing rival candidates. Uncontrolled movement of Rohingya outside camps was also identified as a major risk. The home ministry warned that Rohingya using CiC outpasses or illegally crossing barbed-wire fences into Ukhiya-Teknaf localities could worsen the law and order. The reports also cautioned that active social groups inside camps could spread rumours or provocative messages to destabilise the environment, while armed groups such as Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and the Arakan Army could engage in clashes in border areas during the election period, creating fear among the public. MEASURES The Election Commission and the home ministry have been informed about a series of steps to mitigate risks involving Rohingya during the election period. Rohingya refugees will not be allowed to leave the camps during the election period. Armed Police Battalion (APBn) checkpoints must ensure 100 percent identity checks and intensified searches. Movement of all vehicles, including autorickshaws and motorcycles, will be suspended inside the camps on the day before polling and on election day. All social media platforms and Rohingya organisations active inside the camps must suspend meetings and gatherings from seven days before the vote. Mosque imams and boatmen will be used to raise awareness to prevent Rohingya from engaging in the electoral process. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrols will be strengthened, with heightened surveillance on armed groups along the Myanmar border. Visits to the camps by local and foreign NGO officials and visitors will be restricted or discouraged during the election period. Local administrations will warn traders against hiring Rohingya labourers for election campaigns. To avoid large gatherings, major markets adjacent to camps -- including Balukhali, Leda and Nayapara -- will remain closed on the day before polling, election day and the following day. Adequate numbers of executive magistrates will be deployed in the camps, with mobile courts operating to ensure immediate legal action. Joint surveillance by APBn and BGB will be intensified around camps, including at the Morichya, Rejukhal and Whykong checkpoints. All political parties will be warned against involving Rohingya in any election activities. Security will be reinforced inside the camps through coordination between APBn and the Camp-in-Charge (CiC) offices to prevent risks such as campaigning for candidates, fake voting in exchange for money, or attempts to suppress rival candidates. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said that 943,050 members of different forces will be deployed to maintain law and order during the polls. Around 800,000 officials will also be engaged in election duties.