Bangladesh will step up nationwide intelligence surveillance to keep the overall law-and-order situation stable and under control ahead of the upcoming 13th national elections, Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said.
He also said security agencies had been instructed to take a tougher stance to ensure that any attempt to derail the election would fail.
The adviser was speaking to reporters after the 19th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on law and order at the Home Ministry on Monday (January 5),
He said the meeting reviewed the country’s overall law-and-order situation, security preparations for the election, progress in the case and trial process over the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, the status of Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2, efforts to recover illegal and looted weapons, intensified anti-narcotics drives, and the situation along the border and in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.
The adviser said the interim government was determined to maintain peace and discipline nationwide, and that the election would be held on time. He said maximum importance had been placed on ensuring the law-and-order situation is not disrupted in any way during the election period.
He added that instructions had been issued to strengthen the activities of law-enforcement agencies, remain more active and vigilant, and ensure coordination of intelligence and information among all forces. The meeting also discussed completing training quickly for all law-enforcement agencies and those involved in election-related duties, he said.
He added that all forces had been directed to work in a coordinated way and to be more active on the ground to keep the law-and-order situation under control during the polls.
Looking ahead to political programmes and campaigning, he said instructions were given to take all necessary measures to keep the environment orderly.
He urged the public and all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring a conducive election atmosphere and to follow the electoral code of conduct. He also said members of law-enforcement agencies would be empowered, at any time, to enter polling centres and any other locations to prevent subversive activities aimed at worsening the law-and-order situation or obstructing the election.
