Security High Alert Nationwide Ahead of Sheikh Hasina's Verdict: Home Adviser

The Home Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, today confirmed that law enforcement agencies have completed all necessary preparations to ensure order across the country ahead of the crucial verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Speaking to journalists at the Circuit House in Patuakhali, the Home Adviser stated, verdict in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina and others is scheduled to be announced on Monday, November 17. The agencies are fully prepared to prevent any "unpleasant" or "untoward incident" centering the highly-anticipated ruling.

The Home Adviser also announced that the 13th parliamentary election is scheduled to be held in the first half of February 2026, before the start of Ramadan. He noted that the Election Commission will announce the full schedule, but law enforcement has been kept ready.

The security plan for the forthcoming election involves a massive, nine-day deployment of forces, covering five days before the election, the election day, and three days after the polls to maintain law and order. Special operations will also be conducted nationwide prior to the election.

Approximately 8.58 lakh security personnel will be deployed, including Police: 1.5 lakh, Ansar: 5.5 lakh, Army: 1 lakh, BGB: 35,000, RAB: 8,000, Coast Guard: 4,000, Navy: 500

The Home Adviser, who had earlier visited the Bangladesh Coast Guard base and Patuakhali District Police Lines, expressed confidence that the polls would be held in a peaceful manner, noting that the people and political parties are already "election oriented." He later departed Patuakhali for Kuakata, where he is scheduled to visit camps of the Tourist Police and River Police.