Desk Report,
Preparations for elections begin, 150,000 police officers to be trained
The government has started extensive security preparations and coordination between agencies around the upcoming parliamentary elections. From September, 150,000 police personnel will be given special training on election-related issues. This training program will continue until October and November.
Preparations for elections begin, 150,000 police officers to be trained
A high-level meeting held at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Advisor took several important decisions on maintaining law and order, preventing fake news and administrative preparedness. After the meeting, the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar briefed the journalists. Quoting the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “They (the police) will mainly work as a striking force and will play a strong role in maintaining law and order.” He added, “The military personnel have already been active in the field since August 5 and they also have judicial powers.” He also said that 60,000 military personnel will be deployed during the elections.
Shafiqul Alam said that the government is considering forming a ‘National Information Center’ due to the increasing trend of spreading rumors and fake information around the elections. He said, ‘This center will quickly identify and counter rumors and provide accurate information to the public.’ He said, ‘This center will help publicize the positive and immediate activities of the law enforcement agencies, which often remain unknown due to lack of publicity at present.’ The meeting also discussed the proposal to establish a media wing under the newly formed National Security Command structure. This will help in regular press briefings and publishing immediate information about the law and order situation.
Responding to a question regarding the criticism that the intelligence agencies were unable to predict the unrest in some places including Gopalganj recently, Shafiqul Alam said that the government has already formed an inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. He said that the intelligence agencies have been instructed to collect information more comprehensively and in advance to avoid such failures in the future.
The meeting also discussed the pre-election administrative reshuffle. In this regard, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said, “There will be reshuffles not in general, but only where necessary.” He said that the meeting asked the law enforcement agencies to quickly identify ‘hotspots’ – areas where violence or unrest can occur – before the possible elections. It has also been instructed to send reports on the situation in these areas to the center so that additional security measures can be taken if necessary. Earlier in the day, US Charge d’Affaires Tracey Anne Jacobson met with senior government officials. The meeting discussed counter-terrorism activities, the Consensus Commission’s political dialogue and customs, said Press Secretary of the Office of the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam. He said, “The government is adhering to a zero tolerance policy in counter-terrorism activities and is giving top priority to electoral security.”
It was reported that a Bangladeshi delegation will leave for the United States with business representatives to participate in customs-related discussions that night.
The Press Secretary hopes that the country is moving towards a safe and fair election through strong coordination between the army, police, and civil administration.
