Ahead of the general election and national referendum, the Election Commission (EC) held a briefing and consultation with returning officers and field administration officials. The meeting took place on Tuesday at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Field-level officials from administration and police highlighted several challenges and concerns for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum. These included illegal weapons, misuse of social media, spreading of rumors, easy bail for identified criminals, and security vulnerabilities at the borders.

Officials offered various suggestions to tackle these challenges.

Guidance from the Election Commission
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin instructed the officials to carry out their duties impartially. Four other election commissioners provided additional guidelines regarding election procedures to field officers.

The briefing at the Election Commission auditorium in Agargaon was attended by a total of 226 officials, including 8 divisional commissioners, 8 Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) of police, 64 district administrators and police superintendents, 10 regional EC officers, and election officials from 64 districts.

Officials raised concerns that if elections are disrupted, various illegal activities could take place. However, all pledged to ensure free and fair elections.

The 13th National Parliament election and referendum schedule was announced on 11 December. Voting is set for 12 February. Following the schedule announcement, Sharif Osman Hadi, a potential candidate and convener of the Inquilab Platform, was shot on 12 December in Dhaka. His death triggered protests across the country and raised further concerns about law and order and election safety.

Concerns Over Illegal Weapons
During last year’s August uprising, 5,753 firearms were looted, of which nearly 4,500 have been recovered. Over 1,000 weapons remain unaccounted for. These illegal weapons are expected to pose significant risks in the upcoming election.

Officials recommended increased border surveillance, preventing bail for identified criminals, monitoring the movement of those out on bail, restricting unrestricted mobile phone use by inmates, observing the activities of imprisoned criminals, training new officers, preventing political interference in duties, enhancing candidate security, avoiding appointment of presiding officers from the same electoral area, increasing voter turnout, involving political parties in campaigning, increasing the number of executive magistrates, adopting zero-tolerance against misuse of technology, renovating polling centers, arranging additional vehicles, and timely allocation of funds.

Law and Order Concerns
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury highlighted law and order as a major issue, especially regarding criminals granted bail. Some officials emphasized joint operations for maintaining law and order and recovering illegal weapons. Many also expressed concerns over social media misuse and rumors as major obstacles in this election.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Mokhtar Ahmed said illegal weapons, armed groups, AI misuse, and rumors must be addressed.

Officials from Sylhet recommended stricter border security as weapons, money, and criminals cross borders and then take refuge in neighboring countries.

Police Input
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Zillur Rahman said police lost many weapons, including 455 pistols and heavy arms, and recovery has been challenging. Chattogram DIG Ahsan Habib noted difficulties due to lack of proper support, while Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury emphasized the need to restore the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) to full capacity.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said police have gained enough capacity before the elections but stressed the need to curb small-scale disruptions and road blockades.

CEC Directions
CEC A.M.M. Nasir Uddin instructed officials to work professionally and impartially. He highlighted the importance of maintaining communal harmony, protecting minority voters, and ensuring safe polling.