Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury -File photo

DHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) – Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today reiterated the interim government’s commitment to holding the forthcoming 13th national election in a free, fair, peaceful, impartial, acceptable and festive manner.

“So, we are attaching the highest priority to ensuring the maximum level of security to hold the next general election in line with the aspirations of the people. The Home Ministry is working in a coordinated manner in this regard,” he said.

He made the remarks at a core committee meeting on law and order at the Home Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat here.

The adviser said a coordination cell has been formed at the Home Ministry ahead of the upcoming general election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

The emergency phone and mobile numbers are 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702, 02-47118703, 01550-064226 (WhatsApp) and 01550-064227. Complaints regarding law and order during the election period can be made through these numbers.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, the election campaign that began on January 22, 2026 will continue until 7:30am on February 10, 2026 — 48 hours before voting begins, the Home Adviser said. 

He said law enforcement agencies have been instructed to remain alert and vigilant so that no untoward incidents occur among political parties and candidates during the campaign.

“At the same time, we seek the cooperation of political parties in this regard. We want everyone to present the nation with a neutral and festive election that will serve as a role model in Bangladesh’s electoral history,” he said.
At the meeting, Chowdhury said several directives had been issued to law enforcement agencies, including officials assigned to election duties, ahead of the polls.

“If the administration and law enforcement agencies can earn the trust of the people, maintaining law and order becomes easier. But if they lose that trust, peace cannot be established even by force,” he said.

He opined that law enforcement agencies have therefore been instructed to gain the trust of the people.

The law enforcement agencies have been instructed to work with human values, honesty, morality, efficiency, prudence, professionalism, humanity and a service-oriented attitude in the upcoming election, he said. 

They will have to make the utmost sacrifice to maintain public safety and order with the great vow of patriotism, he added.

The government officials will have to perform their duties with 100% impartiality, he said, adding that they have also been instructed that they should not accept any kind of immoral or illegal financial benefits from any candidate or agent - even not to accept any food from any of their representatives while performing their duties.

“Returning and Assistant Returning Officers have been instructed to keep each polling station, including the voting booth, clean and ready for the election,” he said.

He said the main roads leading to polling stations should be made smooth and suitable for transportation, while the security of election materials, including ballot boxes, must be ensured so that these reach polling stations on time. 

In addition, the Returning Officers have been instructed to provide entry passes to election observers and journalists as soon as possible, he said.

Their access to the polling station should be ensured as per the election rules, he continued. 

Chowdhury said the Returning and Assistant Returning Officers have been instructed to provide the on-duty journalists with full cooperation in this regard.