“People Are Now Election-Oriented; There Is No Threat Regarding the Election”: Home Affairs Adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that the people of Bangladesh are now focused on the upcoming national election, and there is no threat regarding it. He expressed confidence that the election will be held in a free, fair, credible, and festive manner, with the administration working diligently to ensure this.

He made these remarks on Wednesday (November 5) after attending a meeting with the administration, police, and law enforcement agencies at the Bhawal Conference Room of the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

The adviser said, “The national parliamentary election will be held in February next year. Today, we discussed our preparation and the specific challenges in Gazipur.” He added that misinformation and rumors about the election are often spread on social media from neighboring countries, but Bangladeshi journalists have played a vital role in dispelling such rumors by reporting the truth.

Speaking about social issues, the Home Affairs Adviser said, “The biggest problems in our society are corruption and drugs. We discussed how we can eliminate these from our communities. The drug problem has spread across rural and urban areas, and without collective effort, it will only worsen. We must all raise awareness.”

He further said that Gazipur, being an industrial hub, attracts a large number of people from different regions for employment. “Many are not local residents. Maintaining good relations among them is essential. There are also issues with illegal traders in the ‘jhut’ (textile waste) business and extortionists. The meeting also discussed how to control these problems,” he added.

Regarding law enforcement, the adviser noted, “There is currently a shortage of police in Gazipur. An additional 650 police personnel have been deployed, and more will be added during the election period.”

When asked by journalists about Awami League leaders and activists released on bail, he responded, “If any of them engage in wrongdoing after being released, they will immediately be brought under the law. Granting bail is entirely the jurisdiction of the court, which operates independently.”

The adviser also addressed rumors spread by neighboring countries, saying, “Sometimes neighboring countries spread misinformation. But thanks to our journalists’ truthful reporting, many of these rumors have subsided. The main barrier against foreign disinformation is our national media.”

He urged journalists, “If you continue to report the truth, the public will understand that the rumors spread by neighboring countries are false.”

He emphasized that all political parties participating in the election, along with the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the administration, share a collective responsibility to maintain peace and order. “If everyone works together sincerely, there will be no problem maintaining law and order during the election,” he said.

Responding to a question about a banned political party’s activities on social media, the adviser said, “Thanks to journalists’ cooperation, their activities have been greatly reduced. Social media often becomes a source of false propaganda, but when journalists present the truth, these problems are quickly resolved.”