The government remains firm in its plan to hold the next national election in early February 2026, saying no force in the world can stand in the way of the polls, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday.
“In today’s meeting, it was also said that the election will be held in the first half of February under any circumstances. There is no force in the world that can stop this election. All necessary preparations in this regard are being taken,” he told a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy here after a high-level meeting of the government.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting on the law and order situation at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Ten advisers, including Home Affairs Jahangir Chowdhury Alam, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, CA’s Special Assistant for Home Affairs Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Principal Secretary Md. Siraj Uddin Miah and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam, among others, took part in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the overall law-and-order situation in the wake of recent incidents and took a number of decisions in this regard.
Raising the decisions, Shafiqul Alam said the meeting directed that the local administration be more proactive in dealing with the incidents that are taking place. “Strict directives were given in today's meeting (to present such incidents).”
He said the meeting emphasised the need for upholding and strengthening the political unity, built since 2024 July through maintaining closer ties among the political parties. “All should stay alert so that no unlawful or security-related disruptions worsen the situation centring the upcoming election,” he said.
The Chief Adviser directed the authorities concerned to intensify monitoring against illegal sudden processions and gatherings, and take stern legal action against those orchestrating such illegal activities.
Prof Yunus said different types of conspiracies may be hatched during the upcoming Durga Puja to destabilise the situation.
Recalling last year’s positive law and order experience during the festival, he stressed early and comprehensive security measures to prevent any disorder during the Durga Puja.
The meeting decided that the Religious Affairs Ministry will soon hold meetings with different religion-based groups to uphold communal harmony.
The Chief Adviser directed the authority concerned to provide all-out assistance to the university administration for holding Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election in a peaceful and festive environment.
During the meeting, it was observed that the ‘defeated fascist forces’ are becoming more desperate and reckless as the country moves towards elections and the trial of those involved in the July massacre progresses.
“So, they (the defeated forces) are taking to the field with all their power to disrupt the democratic progress in order to destroy the overall peace and order of the country. It is no longer a law and order issue rather it has become a national security concern. It was said in the meeting that no one will be given the slightest concession in the interest of the overall security of the country,” said the Press Secretary.
CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were also present at the briefing.
