CA For Thwarting Election-Foiling Attempts

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today underscored the need for comprehensive preparations to prevent any internal or external attempts to disrupt the upcoming national elections.

"Many powerful forces, both from within and outside the country, may try to derail the election. Sudden attacks could occur, and this will be a challenging election. But no matter how many storms we face, we must prevail," the Chief Adviser was quoted as saying by his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, during a high-level meeting on election preparedness at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Briefing reporters later at the Foreign Service Academy, Shafiqul Alam said the Chief Adviser had cautioned that misinformation would likely be spread in an organized manner to undermine the election.

"There will be deliberate disinformation campaigns from both inside and outside the country, including AI-generated photos and videos. We must be ready to counter these immediately. Once a false campaign begins, it must be stopped before it spreads," Professor Yunus said.

Emphasizing the need to make the election a “festival of democracy,” the Chief Adviser urged officials to ensure that people receive accurate information—about how to vote, how to respond in case of disorder, and why their participation matters.

He directed the ICT and Cultural Affairs ministries to produce election awareness content—including TV commercials, documentaries, and explainer videos—to educate voters on polling procedures, rules at polling centers, and how to address irregularities.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the meeting focused on four key issues: combating misinformation on social media, field-level officer deployment, training for election and law enforcement officials, and overall election security.

Among those attending were Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Solidarity Development Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraj Uddin Miah, Election Commission Secretary Akhter Ahmed, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hassan, IGP Baharul Alam, RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman, Coast Guard DG Rear Admiral Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Ansar-VDP DG Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, and representatives from NSI, DGFI, and SBR.

Regarding the posting of officials for election duties, the press secretary said the home and public administration ministries have already begun transfers and postings based on competence and regional importance.

“Deployment will be made on merit, fitness, efficiency, and impartiality through a randomized process to prevent bias,” he said, adding that the process would begin in November.

The Home Affairs Adviser informed the meeting that a list of 64 police officers had already been prepared for posting based on merit and random selection. The Election Commission has also started training officials expected to serve during the polls, he added.

Officials will not be deployed in their home districts or areas where they have close relatives or family members contesting the election. Those who served in similar roles during the past three national elections will also be excluded from election duties this time, Shafiqul Alam noted.

The meeting emphasized completing postings early to allow sufficient time for preparation and training. A major part of the discussion centered on coordination between the government, the Election Commission, and law enforcement agencies.

It also addressed the growing challenge of AI-driven misinformation, deciding to form two new bodies—a Central Disinformation Monitoring Cell and a Central Communication Cell—to ensure rapid fact-checking and dissemination of verified information down to the grassroots level.

The ICT and Cultural Affairs ministries were instructed to ensure that misinformation is countered promptly and that official clarifications reach the public through social media and television.

On security, the press secretary said about 92,500 personnel from the Army and Navy would be deployed nationwide, with one company stationed in each upazila. Of them, 90,000 will be from the Army and the rest from the Navy.

Security operations will focus on the 72-hour period before and after election day, with local volunteers also mobilized to support law enforcement and maintain community-level safety.

Training programs are already underway for Ansar and other field-level officials. The Chief Adviser instructed that all training videos and guidelines be made publicly accessible through BTV, the Election Commission’s website, and social media platforms. All preparatory work, he said, should be completed by November 15.

The Election Commission is also considering repurposing Sangsad Television to air voter education programs on polling procedures and public conduct during elections.

Additionally, a new mobile application is being developed to facilitate postal voting for three groups: eligible expatriates, voters in legal custody, and officials on election duty.

Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were also present at the briefing.