Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Agriculture, Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.), has directed all concerned authorities to take strict action against any attempt to disrupt public security during the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections.

“There will be no compromise on law and order during the JS elections. Law enforcement officials must demonstrate the highest level of professionalism to ensure the safety of citizens before, during, and after the polls,” he said.

He made the remarks while addressing the ‘Law and Order Meeting for Smooth Conduct of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and Referendum, 2026’ at the conference room of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Rangpur on Sunday afternoon. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nasimul Gani, presided over the meeting.

Special guests at the event included Director General of RAB (SIF) AKM Shahidur Rahman, Additional IGP of Bangladesh Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, and Additional Director General of BGB Brigadier General Md Sohrab Hossain Bhuiyan. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome speech, while Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali BPM were also present.

Addressing election officials and law enforcement personnel, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury emphasised that honesty, efficiency, and professionalism would be crucial to holding a peaceful and festive election.

“If the ballot box is tampered with or irregularities occur at any polling station, no one—including returning officers, assistant returning officers, or presiding officers—will be exempt from responsibility,” he warned.

The adviser noted that a Home Ministry circular empowers law enforcement agencies to enter polling station premises if necessary. Miscreants attempting to obstruct the election must be arrested immediately, and legal action will follow. He stressed that intensive patrolling should begin four days before polling to create a fair and impartial environment, with particular attention to char areas and remote regions, coordinated among all security forces.

In his closing remarks, the Senior Secretary highlighted the use of modern technology and extensive training for this election. “The ‘Election Security App’, body-worn cameras, CCTV, drones, and other technologies are being deployed. Approximately one million law enforcement personnel have been mobilised, the largest in history,” he said.

Each polling station will have at least five to six armed personnel, including Ansar members, supported by a striking force and patrol team. This, he said, will allow Presiding Officers to carry out their duties with confidence.

“All eight Deputy Commissioners, eight Superintendents of Police, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, Regional, District, and Upazila Election Officers, representatives of the Armed Forces Division, BGB, Ansar-VDP, Deputy Police Commissioners, and Thana Officers participated in the event,” the adviser added.

Briefing local journalists after the meeting, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the 13th JS elections would be credible, peaceful, fair, and held in a festive atmosphere. “There is no fear of vote rigging. If any irregularities occur, action will be taken immediately to ensure a free and fair election,” he said.

When asked whether a fair election is possible under the current law and order situation, the adviser replied, “We have made all necessary preparations. This issue was thoroughly discussed at today’s meeting in Rangpur.”