Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud addressed the Ansar and Village Defense Party election preparatory rally at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party (Ansar-VDP) Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud has instructed all members of the force to perform their duties impartially, courageously and responsibly at polling stations to ensure a free, fair and festive national election scheduled for February 12 next.

“Perform your duties with courage and impartially at polling stations,” he gave the directive while addressing the Ansar and Village Defense Party election preparatory rally at Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka on the occasion of the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. 

The rally was organized by Dhaka Metropolitan Ansar.

The DG said the force’s members must remain steadfast at polling stations even in the face of pressure or threats. 

“There will be no fear if there is pressure from terrorists. We must carry out our duties with courage and not abandon polling stations in any chaotic situation,” he said, emphasizing that the force must act “like a mountain” to uphold the aspirations of the country’s 180 million people.

He informed that 27,703 Ansar members have been deployed at 2,131 polling stations in Dhaka metropolis, with 13 trained members assigned to each center. 

Nationwide, about 556,127 Ansar-VDP members will be engaged in election duties, he also said.

According to the DG, the force has been transformed into a modern, transparent and disciplined organization through professionalism, impartiality and digital supervision to ensure fair elections and strengthen public trust. 

He stressed the importance of preventing any form of incitement or disorder in coordination with the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He highlighted the use of technology-based reporting, including the Suraksha App, which can function even without internet connectivity, to report any untoward incidents. 

He also underscored the effective use of Election Protection Apps, the Integrated Security Response System and digital monitoring tools to ensure transparency in member deployment, certification and allowance distribution.

Warning against corruption, he said any attempt to buy Ansar members with money must be resisted, calling it a betrayal of national trust. 

He added that this election marks a new chapter for Ansar-VDP, moving beyond traditional roles to a technologically advanced and accountable force.

The DG noted that polling stations will be monitored round the clock through CCTV cameras and digital channels directly connected to the ministry. 

Any member found violating impartiality, discipline or Election Commission instructions will face strict legal action, he also said. 

He also ordered members to refrain from sharing photos or videos related to weapons, equipment or duty on social media platforms in the interest of election security.

Calling Ansar members protectors of the national flag and representatives of voters, he said their only identity is loyalty to the country and its people. 

He expressed confidence that through professionalism, patriotism and modern technology, Ansar-VDP will help ensure a peaceful, credible and festive election while strengthening democracy and national security.