Mohammad Yunus asks chiefs of three services to ensure tight security for peaceful Feb polls

Dhaka : Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has issued necessary directives to chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force to ensure that the national election in February is conducted under tight security and takes place peacefully.

The three chiefs — Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan — held a meeting with the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna this evening (1 November). National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman was also present.

At around 8:19pm, a source from a law enforcement agency confirmed to The Business Standard that the meeting has concluded and the three chiefs have already left Jamuna.

During the meeting, the chief adviser expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the service personnel in maintaining national security and law and order in the country, according to the CA Press Wing.

He said over the past 15 months, members of all forces, including the army, have worked extremely hard to uphold law and order.

To ensure that the upcoming election is held under a tight security blanket, the chief adviser issued necessary directives to the three services.

The chief adviser said, “The interim government is committed to ensuring that the election, scheduled for the first half of February, is free, fair, impartial, peaceful, and festive.”

At today’s meeting, the three service chiefs briefed the chief adviser on all preparations being undertaken by the military for the election.

During the meeting, the three service chiefs also invited the chief adviser to the Armed Forces Day celebration scheduled for 21 November.

Earlier, an official at the CA’s Office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting was not convened by the chief adviser.

The chiefs of three services had gone on their own initiative for talks with CA Yunus, the official said.

“A meeting between the chief adviser and the chiefs of three services was scheduled well in advance. The agenda was expected to cover the deployment of military personnel in the upcoming election.”

But, he said, he had no information regarding the agenda of this evening’s meeting or what was likely to be discussed.

The meeting comes as the Election Commission is preparing for conducting the 13th national election in the first half of February next year. Members of armed forces will be deployed alongside police and Ansar members during the polls.

On 20 October, the commission had said around 90,000 to 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Army would be deployed for election duties.

Earlier on 1 September, Chief of Army Staff General Waker called on the chief adviser at Jamuna.

During that meeting, Yunus had asked General Waker to ensure a clearly defined command structure and close coordination among all forces in the coming months leading up to the national election.