Staff Reporter :
Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has said the country is now fully election-oriented and the upcoming national polls in February will be “free, fair, credible and festive.”
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials from the administration, police and law enforcement agencies at the Bhawal Conference Room in Gazipur on Wednesday, he said the government has been working to ensure a peaceful and transparent election. “The people are looking forward to the election. It will be held in a free, fair, credible and festive atmosphere. The administration is working for that,” he said.
Chowdhury acknowledged the vital role of journalists in countering misinformation spread through social media, particularly from “neighbouring countries.” He noted that false claims and rumours regarding the election have declined “as the media have continued to report the truth.”
He added that Gazipur, being an industrial hub with a diverse population, faces specific challenges such as extortion and local disputes.
Discussions were held on how to maintain harmony and curb these issues, he said.
To address the shortage of police in the area, an additional 650 officers have already been deployed, with more to follow during the election period.
Responding to a question on the release of Awami League activists on bail, the adviser said, “If anyone commits wrongdoing after getting bail, they will be brought under the law immediately. Bail is entirely a matter for the court, which is fully independent.”
For months, Bangladesh has seen waves of misinformation on social media allegedly originating from across the border.
Analysts say some of this content seeks to question the credibility of the interim government and stir public distrust ahead of the election.
Bangladeshi journalists have become a key line of defence against such campaigns, cross-verifying claims, exposing falsehoods and ensuring accurate information reaches the public.
Media outlets have been urged to maintain vigilance and professionalism as the country heads into a critical electoral period, with the government openly acknowledging their role in “neutralising foreign propaganda through truth and transparency.”
