Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Monday described the upcoming national referendum and parliamentary election, scheduled for Feb. 12, as a decisive moment for the country’s democratic future, calling on the armed forces to exercise the highest level of caution, professionalism and restraint in carrying out their duties.
Speaking at a meeting with senior military at the Armed Forces Headquarters in Dhaka, Dr. Yunus said the role of the armed forces would be critical in ensuring a free, fair, neutral and fear-free electoral environment. He emphasized that public trust in the institution must be preserved through strict adherence to the law and impartial conduct at every level.
“The armed forces have long stood as a symbol of public confidence,” Dr. Yunus said, expressing the government’s expectation that they would once again discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and neutrality.
He noted that the election holds particular significance as a large number of young voters will be casting ballots for the first time, while many older citizens are participating after years of being deprived of their voting rights. In such a context, he said, creating a safe and festive atmosphere for voters is a shared national responsibility.
Dr. Yunus urged military leaders to ensure that all decisions taken in the field are lawful, measured and responsible, warning that even minor lapses could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. He called on the armed forces to extend full cooperation to the Election Commission and the civil administration in safeguarding the integrity of the vote.
At the outset of his remarks, the chief adviser paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the 1971 Liberation War and in the July–August student-led uprising, and expressed gratitude for the armed forces’ role in maintaining law and order in the post-authoritarian period. He said their contribution to restoring stability would remain a notable chapter in the nation’s history.
Dr. Yunus also highlighted the interim government’s focus on strengthening and modernizing the armed forces. Initiatives are underway to establish domestic facilities for the production of military equipment, he said, and defense cooperation agreements have already been signed with the Netherlands and Malaysia. Similar agreements with Italy, Japan and Thailand are currently in progress.
He expressed hope that future elected governments would continue these efforts to enhance the self-reliance and operational capacity of the armed forces.
Dr. Yunus was received at the venue by the Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman; the Navy Chief, Admiral M. Nazmul Hasan; the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan; and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lt. Gen. S. M. Kamrul Hasan. Senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with invited guests, were present at the meeting.
