Khulna, Broadcasting News Corporation: Keeping in mind the tragic consequences of fascism, the Home Affairs Advisor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has directed the officers and law enforcement personnel involved in the elections to perform their duties with honesty, dedication, and sincerity.

The advisor gave this directive on Wednesday (February 4, 2026) during his speech as the chief guest at a law and order consultation meeting organized by the Khulna Divisional Administration in the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s office to ensure the smooth conduct of the ’13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum-2026.’

The advisor further stated that over the past 16 years, the seeds of fascism had been sown through opaque election processes.The entire state machinery participated in this process through bias. Every structure, from national elections to local government elections, was completely destroyed. People’s right to vote was taken away through an autocratic process. As a result, a dictatorship, despotism, and fascist structures were established. To liberate the country from fascism, students and the general public staged a mass uprising in 2024. He said that many of the facilitators, instigators, biased participants, supporters, and direct participants in this process were already known to many. They were part of the government machinery. Today, everyone is aware of the tragic fate of many of them. Some have been dismissed from their jobs, some are fugitives, exiled, imprisoned, or facing legal proceedings. Even their families and relatives are going through a difficult trial today. He expressed hope that in the upcoming national election on February 12, everyone involved will deeply understand the matter and fulfill their responsibilities correctly.

Addressing the officials and members of the law enforcement agencies involved in the election, the advisor said that there are high expectations from the general public, political parties, and all sections of society regarding the national election. The greatest responsibility to fulfill these expectations rests on your shoulders. He said that with the cooperation of all involved in the election, a standard will be set in the upcoming national election that will be admired not only in the country but also internationally. The advisor urged the officials to remain alert and vigilant so that even the slightest mistake or deviation cannot tarnish the image of the election or the country, and so that public trust is not lost. Moreover, he warned that if there is any irregularity at a polling station or a ballot box is snatched, action will be taken against all concerned, including the returning officer, assistant returning officer, presiding officer, and others involved.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that a ‘Central Law and Order Coordination Cell’ has already been formed at the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the overall election situation. Any law and order-related complaints during the election period can be lodged with this cell.

The Home Affairs Advisor said that the most effective role in maintaining law and order in this election will be played by the use of the ‘Election Security App-2026’, which has been prepared by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC). Various law enforcement agencies, the Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, along with the central control room of the Ministry of Home Affairs, will be connected to it. The advisor said that the app will play a role in immediately receiving law and order-related complaints and quickly addressing or controlling them. The advisor further said that election observers must be quickly issued entry passes and their free access to polling stations must be ensured. He said that journalists must be quickly issued identity cards. They may request various information regarding the election and the respective polling stations. Full cooperation must be provided to them in this regard. He said that on the day of the election, the law and order situation and environment must be improved to such an extent that everyone can go to the polling station and vote in a joyful and festive atmosphere.He said that since the post-independence period, our economic situation has improved significantly. Most officials are receiving foreign visits and advanced training. As employees of the state, it is our moral duty, out of responsibility to the nation, to deliver a fair, beautiful, free, impartial, peaceful, and festive election. During a briefing with journalists, the Home Affairs Advisor mentioned that the election preparations in the Khulna division are good. Urging journalists to provide true and objective news, he said that misleading or false news could disrupt the voting environment. He also stated that this year three factors will play an important role in ensuring a fair election, which was not possible in previous elections. These are the use of election technology (body-worn cameras, CCTV, drones, etc.), training of law enforcement agencies, and the use of the ‘Election Security App-2026’ developed by NTMC. The advisor expressed hope that through the successful application and implementation of these measures, it will be possible to deliver a free, fair, impartial, and festive election.