Thursday, 05 February, 2026
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has ruled out any risk of election-related violence, asserting that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible national election.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a high-level law and order coordination meeting at the Rajshahi Prison Training Academy auditorium, the adviser said the security apparatus was on “maximum readiness” ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the accompanying referendum.
“The law enforcement agencies are very well prepared to conduct a peaceful election,” he said, adding that there was “no fear of any kind of violence” surrounding the polls.
He said nationwide operations were continuing to guarantee a free, fair and peaceful vote, noting that illegal weapons were being regularly recovered as part of ongoing security drives. Dismissing concerns over instability, he insisted there was “no such issue as mob violence” and no reason for law enforcers to feel threatened.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today spoke to journalists after holding a meeting titled “Law and Order Issues for the Proper Conduct of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum–2026” at the Rajshahi Jail Training Academy Auditorium. Photo : Collected
Unprecedented security measures have been rolled out for the election, with forces set to remain deployed for seven days before and after polling day. Around 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be stationed across the country, alongside about 5,000 Navy personnel, 37,000 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, 4,000 Coast Guard personnel, 150,000 police officers, 9,000 members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and more than 500,000 Ansar members.
“This will be the largest deployment of law enforcement personnel in the country’s electoral history,” the adviser said, describing the arrangements as robust and comprehensive.
He assured voters that the election would be “completely fear-free, neutral and festive”, adding that there were no security concerns specific to Rajshahi or other regions.
Addressing questions on electoral discipline, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that any candidate violating the code of conduct or engaging in indecent behaviour would be exposed publicly. “If such actions are revealed in society, the candidate will naturally lose public support,” he said. “Even then, if anyone crosses the line, legal action will be taken.”
He also instructed district commissioners to take firm action against suspected troublemakers, including preventive detention where necessary, to avert any attempt to disrupt polling.
On logistical preparations, the adviser said arrangements were “very good” across the country. CCTV cameras have been installed at almost all polling centres, while temporary bamboo fencing will be erected at a small number of centres lacking boundary walls.
“I have said this repeatedly—illegal arms are being recovered regularly,” he said. “The election will be held very peacefully.”
The meeting was presided over by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani. Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Mohammad Shahjahan and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dr Zillur Rahman, among others, were also present.
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Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has ruled out any risk of election-related violence, asserting that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible national election.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a high-level law and order coordination meeting at the Rajshahi Prison Training Academy auditorium, the adviser said the security apparatus was on “maximum readiness” ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the accompanying referendum.
“The law enforcement agencies are very well prepared to conduct a peaceful election,” he said, adding that there was “no fear of any kind of violence” surrounding the polls.
He said nationwide operations were continuing to guarantee a free, fair and peaceful vote, noting that illegal weapons were being regularly recovered as part of ongoing security drives. Dismissing concerns over instability, he insisted there was “no such issue as mob violence” and no reason for law enforcers to feel threatened.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today spoke to journalists after holding a meeting titled “Law and Order Issues for the Proper Conduct of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum–2026” at the Rajshahi Jail Training Academy Auditorium. Photo : Collected
Unprecedented security measures have been rolled out for the election, with forces set to remain deployed for seven days before and after polling day. Around 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be stationed across the country, alongside about 5,000 Navy personnel, 37,000 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, 4,000 Coast Guard personnel, 150,000 police officers, 9,000 members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and more than 500,000 Ansar members.
“This will be the largest deployment of law enforcement personnel in the country’s electoral history,” the adviser said, describing the arrangements as robust and comprehensive.
He assured voters that the election would be “completely fear-free, neutral and festive”, adding that there were no security concerns specific to Rajshahi or other regions.
Addressing questions on electoral discipline, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that any candidate violating the code of conduct or engaging in indecent behaviour would be exposed publicly. “If such actions are revealed in society, the candidate will naturally lose public support,” he said. “Even then, if anyone crosses the line, legal action will be taken.”
He also instructed district commissioners to take firm action against suspected troublemakers, including preventive detention where necessary, to avert any attempt to disrupt polling.
On logistical preparations, the adviser said arrangements were “very good” across the country. CCTV cameras have been installed at almost all polling centres, while temporary bamboo fencing will be erected at a small number of centres lacking boundary walls.
“I have said this repeatedly—illegal arms are being recovered regularly,” he said. “The election will be held very peacefully.”
The meeting was presided over by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani. Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Mohammad Shahjahan and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dr Zillur Rahman, among others, were also present.
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