Desk Report:
Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) has ordered strict crackdown on any mischief and activities of miscreants and terrorists that could disrupt and affect the elections.
The advisor gave this instruction as the chief guest at a law and order exchange meeting organized by the Barisal Divisional Administration at the Barisal District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Monday (February 2, 2026) for the smooth conduct of the ‘Thirteenth National Parliament Election and Referendum-2026’.
The event was presided over by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani and was addressed as special guests by IGP Baharul BPM, Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md. Ziaul Haque ndc, psc, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud psc and BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddique ndc psc. Barisal Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the exchange of views. Among others present at the event were DIG of Barisal Range Md. Manjur Morshed Alam and Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam.
The chief guest said that the fascist’s accomplices, miscreants and terrorists must be arrested quickly. Intensive patrolling must be conducted for 04 (four) days before the election to create a fair and impartial electoral environment. The advisor said that patrolling activities in the pastures and remote areas should be conducted closely in coordination with various forces. Special operations should be conducted against various criminals including terrorists, extortionists, drug dealers and bring them under the law.
Addressing the officials and members of the law enforcement agencies assigned to election duties, the advisor said that the expectations of the general public and political parties of this country are high regarding the upcoming national elections and the biggest responsibility lies on your shoulders to fulfill those expectations. He expressed optimism and said that such a standard will be established in the next national elections, which will be appreciated not only in the country but also in the international arena. He urged the officials to be vigilant and alert so that the slightest mistake or deviation does not ruin the election and the image of the country and does not lose the trust of the people.
The advisor said that no compromise will be made on the issue of law and order in the elections. Any attempt to disrupt public security must be firmly suppressed. You have to show utmost professionalism to ensure the safety of the common people before, on and after the election. He said that the law and order situation and environment on the election day should be improved so that everyone can go to the polling station and vote in a joyful and festive atmosphere.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) said that during the election, ‘coordinated activities’ including Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Election Commission, District and Upazila Election Officer, Intelligence agencies, Police forces, Armed forces, RAB, BGB, Ansar-VDP, Coast Guard, judicial and mobile courts as well as all levels of civil administration should be taken up with mutual good relations, coordination, information exchange, joint patrols. The advisor said that frequent meetings of the core committee on law and order should be convened at the district level and coordination should be increased. He also said that no gap, deviation, error, discrimination, negligence, or conflict will be tolerated in the coordination of law and order.
In his speech, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani called on the election officials and law enforcement officers to work with moral character. He said that everyone should work unitedly in a free, fair, impartial, and festive election ceremony by maintaining self-respect and facing all obstacles and adversities with steel determination.
All the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Upazila Executive Officers, Regional/District/Upazila Election Officers and Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations of Barisal Division, representatives of the Barisal Division of the Armed Forces Division, and all Deputy Police Commissioners and Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations of Barisal Metropolitan Police participated in the exchange of views.
Later, in response to a question from journalists about risky polling stations, the Home Affairs Advisor said, additional forces are being deployed in risky or more important polling stations. There will be body worn cameras and CCTV cameras there. Drones and dog squads are being deployed. And the ‘Election Security App-2026’ developed by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) will remain. We have achieved success through this app during the last Durga Puja as well. Therefore, if anyone tries to commit any kind of mischief, they will not get away with it.
