Govt prepared to ensure free, fair and impartial elections: Jahangir
NN ONLINE:
Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has affirmed that the government is taking all necessary preparations to hold the upcoming elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.
He made the remarks when a delegation from the Commonwealth’s Electoral Support Section (ESS) met with him at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon. The two-member delegation was led by Commonwealth ESS Legal Adviser Nancy Kanyago, accompanied by Commonwealth ESS Executive Officer Madonna Lynch. Senior officials of the Home Ministry were also present during the meeting.
Welcoming the Commonwealth delegation, the Adviser stated that the interim government is election-oriented and fully prepared for the upcoming polls. To maintain the law and order, about eight lakh members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed across the country, while approximately 80,000 members of the armed forces will also perform election duties.
He added that election drills and training sessions have been arranged for all law enforcement personnel. “Special operations are underway to recover illegal weapons and ammunition,” he said.
For smooth and timely communication with each election center, “election control rooms” will be set up at the Police Headquarters and in every district.
CCTV cameras (where possible) and body-worn cameras for police officers, along with the required number of law enforcement members, will be deployed at every polling center, he continued. The Home Adviser emphasized that the media will have full freedom to gather news during the elections.
Expressing optimism, the Home Adviser said he hopes that people will come to the polling stations freely, fearlessly and spontaneously to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming national elections. An adequate number of election observation teams will be allowed to monitor the polls, while mobile teams and striking forces will be deployed to ensure peaceful atmosphere in election areas, he said.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s long-standing ties with the Commonwealth, Commonwealth Representative Nancy Kanyago noted that Bangladesh became a member of the organization soon after independence. She said the Commonwealth has an election observation group ready to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections if invited by Bangladesh.
The Home Adviser mentioned that Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have vast experience in conducting elections, including duties performed during UN peacekeeping missions in various countries.
“If the Commonwealth wishes, it can provide us with CCTV, body-worn cameras and other election-related equipment,” he said. In response, the Commonwealth representative expressed their willingness to assist in training of the police members on the human rights.
When asked about new appointments in the law enforcement forces for election duties, the Home Adviser stated that 10,264 police personnel, 2,145 Ansar and VDP members, 5,513 BGB members, and 634 Coast Guard personnel have been newly appointed for election responsibilities.
Regarding the Commonwealth representative’s inquiry about forming a special tribunal to try those involved in the July massacre, the adviser said that the Ministry of Law can form such a tribunal if it deems necessary. “Two international crimes tribunals are already functioning to ensure justice for the July Martyrs, “he said.