CA sets December deadline for poll security

Staff Reporter :

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has instructed law enforcement agencies to complete all necessary preparations by December to ensure a peaceful and orderly 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The directive came during a two-hour high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, where discussions centred on nationwide election security and logistical readiness.

During the meeting, Professor Yunus underscored the importance of bringing all polling stations under CCTV surveillance to ensure transparency and strengthen public trust in the electoral process. Following the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. He was accompanied by Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahammad Foyez.

According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the meeting addressed preparations for the deployment of around 800,000 law enforcement personnel across the country. The deployment will span seven days-covering the days before, during, and after the election-with the objective of maintaining law and order throughout the entire period. Personnel will undergo additional training in advance to enhance readiness.

“The Chief Adviser has issued clear instructions to complete all election-related security preparations by December,” said Shafiqul Alam. “These preparations include multiple components, such as the recruitment of 17,000 new personnel for the police, BGB, and Coast Guard. He emphasised that both recruitment and training must be completed within the timeline.”

He added that the Chief Adviser had warned of potential attempts to disrupt public order in the lead-up to the polls and urged law enforcement to remain vigilant and enforce the law rigorously in the coming months.

The press briefing also served to update the public on developments related to election planning and the government’s efforts to ensure stability during the transition period.

Earlier, on 13 June, Professor Yunus held a significant meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London in a bid to resolve ongoing tensions surrounding the upcoming election.

Political analysts and stakeholders have welcomed the meeting, viewing it as a key step in bridging mistrust and clarifying the electoral timeline.