CA asks army chief to ensure close coordination among all forces in lead-up to polls in Feb
Don’t pay attention to rumours, General Waker tells Muhammad Yunus during a meeting
Highlights:
- Yunus tells Gen Waker to ensure clear command, coordination before Feb polls
- Army's role in assisting civil administration discussed
- Army chief pledges full support to maintain law and order during polls
Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus has asked General Wakar-Uz-Zaman, the chief of army staff of the Bangladesh Army, to ensure a clearly defined command structure and close coordination among all forces in the coming months leading up to the national election in February.
"I have made a solemn commitment to the nation to deliver an election that would stand out in terms of voter turnout, participation of new and women voters, global confidence in safety and security, and its atmosphere as a celebration of democracy and rule of law," the CA told the army chief.
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General Waker called on Yunus at his official residence, State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, today (1 September) and briefed the CA on his recent official visit to China, according to a statement posted on the Chief Adviser GOB page on Facebook.
The Election Commission last week unveiled its roadmap for the 13th national election, with a target to hold the polls in the first half of February next year before Ramadan starts.
Earlier, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus assured that the interim government wants to make sure the elections will be the best in Bangladesh's history and a milestone in the country's democratic journey.
During today's meeting, General Waker also exchanged views on law and order in Bangladesh and the army's role in strengthening it.
The army chief assured them that the Bangladesh Army will continue to provide full cooperation to improve law and order and ensure public safety.
In addition, he briefed the president and the chief adviser on the army's ongoing internal development activities and future plans, the army said in a statement on Facebook.
During the meeting, CA Yunus discussed the army's role in assisting the civil administration under the present circumstances.
Thanking the military for their continued contribution to the maintenance of law and order, he also emphasised the need to streamline this role.
General Wakar, in turn, assured the CA of his full cooperation with the interim government.
He also urged Yunus not to pay attention to rumours circulating around. "The entire army is committed to making the government successful in all its initiatives and programmes."
Afterwards, the army chief also called on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban and briefed him on the same issues, according to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Army.
