Chief Adviser Orders Election Prep and Internet Access on Poll Day

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has directed all law enforcement agencies to complete full-scale preparations for the 13th National Parliamentary Election by December. He has also emphasized the need to establish protocols to keep internet services uninterrupted on polling day.

The directives were issued during an emergency high-level meeting on July 9 (Wednesday) with the Home Affairs Adviser, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of the Coast Guard, Director General of Ansar, and other senior law enforcement officials.

Following the meeting, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Bailey Road, Dhaka, the Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar conveyed to the media: “Previously, we have seen internet services suspended on election day. The Chief Adviser has now instructed that necessary measures be taken to keep internet access available during the upcoming election.”

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam further elaborated, stating: “To ensure the successful arrangement of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has instructed all law enforcement forces to finalize their preparations by December.”

He added, “The Chief Adviser issued several important directives. The first was that all law and order-related preparations connected to the election must be completed within the December deadline.”

The Press Secretary also noted that the reshuffling of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Officers-in-Charge (OCs), and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) would be conducted. “This reshuffling will be done randomly,” he added.

If all reforms and preparations are completed on time, the 13th National Election may be held before the upcoming Ramadan, the Press Secretary stated.