Saturday, 12 July, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday instructed law enforcement agencies to complete all necessary preparations by December for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
He issued the directive at a high-level meeting on election security held at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting brought together senior government officials, top law enforcement representatives, and advisers to discuss readiness for the national polls.
Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, along with Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad, were present at the briefing.
According to Alam, the Chief Adviser stressed the importance of comprehensive preparations, including recruitment and training of new personnel. Around 17,000 new members are being inducted into the police, Border Guard, and Coast Guard, with instructions to ensure their training is completed ahead of the polls.
Prof Yunus emphasised the need for law enforcement readiness in light of “conspiracies aimed at destabilising law and order” before the elections. He ordered strict enforcement of laws in the coming months to ensure a peaceful and fair voting environment.
"Do you have enough manpower for the elections? If new recruitment is required, start the process now. Arrange adequate training—every preparation must be completed by December," he was quoted as saying during the meeting.
He also called for CCTV surveillance at all polling centres and raised concerns about potential unrest. Around 800,000 law enforcement personnel are expected to be deployed during the polls, including 570,000 Ansar members and 141,000 police officers.
The meeting also explored innovative ideas to enhance youth participation, including a proposal to set up dedicated booths for voters aged 18–32. Officials discussed the possibility of deploying law enforcement for seven days surrounding the elections to ensure sustained security.
The Chief Adviser further instructed that presiding officers and polling agents from previous controversial elections under the ousted regime should not be involved in the upcoming vote. The reshuffling of key field-level officers—including DCs, SPs, UNOs, and OCs—was also discussed, with plans for random reassignment to prevent political influence.
Around 16,000 polling centres have been identified as “sensitive,” and Yunus directed law enforcers to prepare detailed plans to ensure peaceful polling in those areas. The role of striking forces and their strategic deployment also featured prominently in the security discussions.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has convened a crucial meeting to finalise a series of amendments to electoral laws. This comes a day after the EC’s first formal discussion with the National Consensus Commission, which is overseeing the reform agenda initiated after the ousting of the Awami League on Aug 5.
The EC’s eighth commission meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, will review proposed changes to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), Election Commission Secretariat Act, and the 1991 Election Officers (Special Provisions) Act. Revisions to candidate affidavits and the administrative and financial authority of EC Secretariat staff will also be discussed.
EC officials said the recent dialogue with the Consensus Commission covered progress on "urgently actionable" electoral reforms. The Consensus Commission, in a statement issued Wednesday, noted that discussions were productive and focused on implementing priority recommendations.
CEC Nasir and fellow Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah represented the EC, along with Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The Consensus Commission was represented by Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz and members Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, and Md Ayub Mia. Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, also attended.
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Home Secretary Nasimul Gani, along with top law enforcement officials, were present at the Chief Adviser’s meeting.
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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday instructed law enforcement agencies to complete all necessary preparations by December for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
He issued the directive at a high-level meeting on election security held at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting brought together senior government officials, top law enforcement representatives, and advisers to discuss readiness for the national polls.
Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, along with Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad, were present at the briefing.
According to Alam, the Chief Adviser stressed the importance of comprehensive preparations, including recruitment and training of new personnel. Around 17,000 new members are being inducted into the police, Border Guard, and Coast Guard, with instructions to ensure their training is completed ahead of the polls.
Prof Yunus emphasised the need for law enforcement readiness in light of “conspiracies aimed at destabilising law and order” before the elections. He ordered strict enforcement of laws in the coming months to ensure a peaceful and fair voting environment.
"Do you have enough manpower for the elections? If new recruitment is required, start the process now. Arrange adequate training—every preparation must be completed by December," he was quoted as saying during the meeting.
He also called for CCTV surveillance at all polling centres and raised concerns about potential unrest. Around 800,000 law enforcement personnel are expected to be deployed during the polls, including 570,000 Ansar members and 141,000 police officers.
The meeting also explored innovative ideas to enhance youth participation, including a proposal to set up dedicated booths for voters aged 18–32. Officials discussed the possibility of deploying law enforcement for seven days surrounding the elections to ensure sustained security.
The Chief Adviser further instructed that presiding officers and polling agents from previous controversial elections under the ousted regime should not be involved in the upcoming vote. The reshuffling of key field-level officers—including DCs, SPs, UNOs, and OCs—was also discussed, with plans for random reassignment to prevent political influence.
Around 16,000 polling centres have been identified as “sensitive,” and Yunus directed law enforcers to prepare detailed plans to ensure peaceful polling in those areas. The role of striking forces and their strategic deployment also featured prominently in the security discussions.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has convened a crucial meeting to finalise a series of amendments to electoral laws. This comes a day after the EC’s first formal discussion with the National Consensus Commission, which is overseeing the reform agenda initiated after the ousting of the Awami League on Aug 5.
The EC’s eighth commission meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, will review proposed changes to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), Election Commission Secretariat Act, and the 1991 Election Officers (Special Provisions) Act. Revisions to candidate affidavits and the administrative and financial authority of EC Secretariat staff will also be discussed.
EC officials said the recent dialogue with the Consensus Commission covered progress on "urgently actionable" electoral reforms. The Consensus Commission, in a statement issued Wednesday, noted that discussions were productive and focused on implementing priority recommendations.
CEC Nasir and fellow Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah represented the EC, along with Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The Consensus Commission was represented by Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz and members Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, and Md Ayub Mia. Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, also attended.
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Home Secretary Nasimul Gani, along with top law enforcement officials, were present at the Chief Adviser’s meeting.
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