The Election Commission (EC) sees no reason for concern over holding the upcoming national election in February despite doubts expressed by some quarters about the prevailing law and order situation.

Following a meeting with representatives of various law enforcement and security agencies at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon on Monday, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters that “certainly, there is an environment conducive to holding the election.”

The meeting, held to discuss law and order and preparatory measures ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, was attended by senior officials including Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan, along with representatives of the army, navy, air force, police and other agencies.

Responding to a question from journalists, the EC secretary said no participants expressed concern during the meeting. “Rather, all the representatives reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a free, fair and participatory election,” he said.

Akhtar Ahmed added that discussions of this nature would continue to further improve the law and order situation. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has already announced that the election will be held in February, and the EC has begun its preparations accordingly.

The meeting discussed 13 key issues, including maintaining peace and order at polling stations and in electoral areas, coordination among law enforcement agencies, ensuring communal harmony and protection of minorities, controlling illegal arms, using artificial intelligence (AI) to curb misinformation, ensuring the safety of foreign journalists and observers, managing postal ballots, planning for the deployment of armed forces, transporting election materials in hilly regions, helicopter support, and strengthening coordination among intelligence agencies.

The EC secretary said there was a proposal to deploy law enforcement personnel for eight days instead of five — three days before polling, on election day, and four days after. The proposal is under review.

Citing the success of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) in monitoring over 35,000 Durga Puja venues using AI technology, he said similar methods could be applied during the election.

The meeting also discussed the support of the armed forces, navy and air force in transporting election materials, especially in remote areas. Whether the army will act “in aid to civil power” is still under discussion, the secretary noted.

To enhance election monitoring, the use of body-worn cameras, drones, and other advanced surveillance systems was also proposed.

According to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), around 150,000 police personnel will be deployed for election duties. The largest force, however, will be the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) with between 550,000 and 600,000 members, while the armed forces will contribute between 90,000 and 100,000 personnel.

The EC secretary said the budget for security forces has not yet been finalised. Each agency will submit its proposal covering training and logistics, which will be reviewed and approved gradually.

It was also decided that political parties and candidates will not be allowed to use drones for election campaigning, though law enforcement agencies may use them when necessary.

Regarding missing or stolen weapons, the EC secretary said that about 85 percent of the looted arms had been recovered, and efforts were ongoing to trace the rest.

Akhtar Ahmed concluded by noting that Monday’s meeting was preparatory in nature and that the EC would continue holding such discussions to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive election.

Senior representatives of the army, navy, air force, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies — including Lt Gen Mizanur Rahman Shamim, Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, Air Vice Marshal Rushad Din Asad, NSI Director General Maj Gen Abu Mohammad Sarwar Farid, DGFI Director General Maj Gen Jahangir Alam, IGP Baharul Alam, BGB DG Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Ansar and VDP DG Maj Gen Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Coast Guard DG Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque, NTMC DG Maj Gen Abdul Qayyum Molla, RAB DG AKM Shahidur Rahman, SB Additional IGP GM Azizur Rahman and CID Additional IGP Md Shibgat Ullah — also attended the meeting.