Poll environment improved, no threat to peaceful voting: Home Adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said he does not anticipate any obstacles to holding the 13th national parliamentary election, noting that the current election environment is more favourable than during previous polls.

“Holding the upcoming general election will no longer be a challenge. It will be conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and festive manner. Compared to past elections, the overall atmosphere is much better this time,” he said.

The adviser made the remarks while replying to reporters’ questions after attending a medal distribution ceremony of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) at its headquarters in Agargaon.

He urged all stakeholders, including the public, to remain patient and vigilant to ensure the election is held peacefully. “Law enforcement agencies have already been deployed across the country,” he said, calling on everyone—particularly the media—to cooperate with the government in facilitating a smooth electoral process.

Responding to a query on the recovery of illegal firearms, Chowdhury said such drives are being conducted regularly, adding that the weapons used in the killings of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi and Mosaddek have already been recovered.

On the law and order situation in the Sundarbans, the Home Adviser said the area remains stable, with a growing number of tourists visiting the region.

Earlier, speaking at the medal distribution ceremony, he urged Coast Guard personnel to discharge their duties with neutrality, professionalism and integrity to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible national election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

“Perform your duties with complete impartiality and professionalism during the upcoming parliamentary election,” he said.

Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Nasimul Ghani and Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque, among others, were present at the event.