Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said all concerned must strictly follow the directives of the Election Commission (EC), stressing that its instructions are now the highest authority as preparations intensify for the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum on implementing the July National Charter.

A high-level policy meeting on the country’s overall law and order situation was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, with Professor Yunus presiding.

“Our role is to assist the Election Commission — that is our duty. This is a major challenge for the nation,” he said. “We must complete this task successfully and establish it as a historic achievement.”

He expressed the hope that the 2026 election would set a benchmark for future polls in Bangladesh. Warning officials to remain fully prepared, the Chief Adviser said there should be no shortcomings on polling day, February 12.

“Our test begins today; February 12 will be the final. Remember, EC directives are now the most important instructions. Everyone must work together in line with the Commission’s guidance,” he said.

Emphasising the use of modern technology to maintain law and order, Professor Yunus said body cameras and CCTV cameras would be deployed extensively to ensure transparency, with real-time monitoring from a central control room. The Home Ministry will play a key command role, he added, stressing the need for coordinated action by all forces to address evolving technological challenges.

Referring to strong international interest in the election, he said numerous local and foreign journalists and observers would cover the polls. “They are taking this very seriously, so we must also remain ‘super serious’. Given the current level of preparation, a free and fair election is possible,” he said, also praising candidates for maintaining cordial relations.

Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the meeting that 51 of the 59 registered political parties are participating in the election. Observers from 26 countries have been invited, and a strong European Union observer mission of around 300 members is expected.

He said candidates would be allowed to campaign from midnight tonight until 7:30am on February 10, while identifying misinformation and rumours in cyberspace as a major challenge.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman informed the meeting that during the mass uprising in August 2024, a total of 3,619 firearms were looted from various police stations, of which 2,259 have since been recovered. Of the 456,418 rounds of looted ammunition, 237,100 rounds have been retrieved. He expressed confidence that a peaceful election could be ensured through inter-agency coordination.

Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan pledged uninterrupted electricity supply on election day, while Special Assistant Faiz Ahmed Taiyab assured uninterrupted mobile network and internet services at all polling centres.

Director General of Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud said armed Ansar members would remain inside polling centres to ensure the security of presiding officers and prevent the unlawful removal of polling agents.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said members of the armed forces would be considered law enforcement personnel during the election and, if necessary, would be able to enter polling centres.

Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani said body cameras would be delivered to field-level units within the next five days. Police and other forces would also use drones if required. Security forces will remain deployed from four days before polling until seven days after the election. A demonstration video on the use of body cameras was also shown at the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, the Chief Adviser announced that such high-level coordination meetings would be held weekly until the election, or even more frequently if necessary.