Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has instructed the chiefs of the three armed services to ensure “blanket security” for the upcoming 13th national election, scheduled for February.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Office, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening.
Yunus praised the forces for “upholding law and order” and directed them to ensure the election is “free, fair, peaceful, and festive.” Around 90,000 army personnel, 2,500 navy members, and a contingent from the air force will be deployed nationwide, with one army company in each upazila.
The chiefs assured full readiness and invited Yunus to attend the Armed Forces Day celebrations on November 21.
Meanwhile, the interim government on Sunday launched its election campaign with a 48-second teaser featuring Capt (retd) Dr Md Khan Sobayel Bin Rafiq, calling the upcoming polls “the most important election in Bangladesh’s history.” The Election Commission is expected to announce the official schedule in early December, with polls set for the first half of February.