Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said the government is taking all necessary preparations to hold the upcoming general election in a free, fair, peaceful and festive manner.
"Tentative date for the next elections has already been announced while the Election Commission will declare the specific date. All want a peaceful election. We're making all possible strides to hold the next election in a free, fair, peaceful and festive manner," he said.
He made the remarks after visiting a polling centre at Teghoria High School (3 no polling centre of Dhaka-3 constituency in Keraniganj in Dhaka.
The Home Adviser said they have started the field level preparation well before to hold the election fairly.
He reiterated that it is impossible for the law enforcers to hold the next election peacefully and fairly without cooperation of all the stakeholders including the aspirant candidates, people, election commission and administration.
"We want wholehearted cooperation from all the stakeholders to hold the election fairly and peacefully," he said.
Replying to a question, the Home Adviser said the current law and order situation is quite better than that of July last year, as the police officers deserted the police stations and Ansar lodged protests.
"We have yet to reach the desired level of law and order. But, we have enough time prior to the election to reach the desired target. We will face no difficulties in holding the election peacefully,' he said.
He said an adequate number of law enforcers including 80,000 military troops will be deployed during the election time.
Body-worn cameras will be given in each of the polling centres across the country to monitor centrally whether the elections are held fairly, he said.
Jahangir said Bangladesh Police have 10,000 body-worn cameras while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has also the cameras, he said, adding that the government is going to purchase 40,000 more body-worn cameras prior to the next general election.
About the recovery of illegal firearms, the Home Adviser said a nationwide operation is underway to recover the firearms, adding, the government will announce rewards on information leading to recovery of the firearms.
The Home Adviser also visited Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj, RAB-10- Headquarters and Keraniganj Model Police Station.
Jahangir said he visited the Dhaka Central Jail to inquire about the overall condition of the prisoners.
