Desk Report:
Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus said that the referendum and the 13th National Assembly elections to be held on February 12 are a very important juncture for the democratic future of Bangladesh. The role of the Bangladesh Armed Forces is very important in ensuring a free, fair, impartial and festive electoral environment at this sensitive time.
In his speech at a view-exchange meeting with senior officers of the armed forces at the Army Headquarters today (January 26, 2026), he said that the armed forces, as a symbol of the people’s trust, will perform the duties entrusted to them with professionalism, impartiality and responsibility like in the past.
The Chief Advisor paid deep respect to the martyrs of the Great Liberation War and the July-August student uprising and recalled with gratitude the contribution of the armed forces in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
He said, the role of the armed forces in controlling the law and order situation in the post-fascist era will be memorable in the history of the nation.
The Chief Advisor said, the referendum and the national parliamentary election are a very significant juncture for the future democratic transition of Bangladesh. Voting in this election will be the final expression of the aspiration that a nation deprived of voting rights for a long time has expressed through the July 24 coup to take responsibility for its country.
He said, “Just as people will express their opinion on building the future state system through the referendum, they will also elect qualified public representatives to implement that opinion through the parliamentary election. Therefore, the importance of this election is much more significant than at any time in the past.”
He said, in organizing this election, we must remember that a large portion of the youth are going to vote for the first time. In addition, many of the elders were deprived of voting rights for a long time. In such a situation, we all have a responsibility to ensure a fear-free and festive voting environment for all voters. In the overall reality of the country, I think the armed forces are a very important partner in properly fulfilling this responsibility. I am hopeful that the capable, professional, impartial and people-oriented Bangladesh Armed Forces will successfully complete this important responsibility and play the most supportive role in giving the nation a free, fair and festive election.
He said that a free, fair and acceptable election is the foundation of a democratic state. The administration and the Election Commission must be provided maximum support to ensure that every citizen of the country can exercise his or her right to vote in a fear-free environment, without any influence.
Regarding the election, the Chief Advisor gave clear instructions to the top leadership of the armed forces and said that all decisions at the field level must be legal, restrained and responsible. He called for utmost caution in this regard so that even the slightest deviation does not undermine the trust of the people.
He also said that this year’s election carries special significance with the participation of young and long-disenfranchised citizens. Therefore, it is a historic responsibility of the state to ensure that every citizen exercises their right to vote in a fear-free environment.
The Chief Advisor called for a collective move towards a peaceful, stable and democratic Bangladesh.
The Chief Advisor said, “During the long fascist rule, the issue of the capacity of the Bangladesh Armed Forces remained neglected. We have initiated a massive change in this situation in a very short time. Since assuming office, the current government has made it a major priority of the interim government to develop the capacity of the armed forces and make them fit for the times to confront any aggression.”
Professor Yunus said that in order to increase the self-reliance and capacity of the armed forces, activities are currently underway to establish factories to manufacture military weapons and equipment under its own management.
He further said that in order to increase the capacity of the armed forces, defense cooperation memorandums have already been signed with the Netherlands and Malaysia, and the process of signing similar defense cooperation memorandums with several other countries including Italy, Japan, Thailand is underway. If these MoUs are signed, the capability and operational efficiency of the armed forces will be greatly enhanced.
The Chief Advisor expressed hope that the future elected government will also take forward these initiatives to enhance the capability of the armed forces.
Upon reaching the venue of the exchange of views of senior officers of the armed forces at the Helmet Auditorium of the Army Headquarters, the Chief Advisor was welcomed by Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan, Air Chief Marshal Hassan Mahmud Khan and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt. General SM Kamrul Hasan.
Senior military officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force and relevant invited guests were present at the exchange of views.
