Deputy commissioners directed to enforce law fully in national polls: CEC 

Deputy commissioners have been instructed to enforce the law fully in the parliamentary polls, irrespective of any external pressure, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said today (18 February).

"The deputy commissioners play a crucial role in national elections, overseeing law enforcement and the entire process," Nasir told journalists after the Election Commission's discussion in the third session of the DC Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.  

"They have been instructed to enforce the law to the fullest extent in the upcoming elections on their own initiative," he added.  

Meanwhile, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said DCs have proposed increasing the Border Guard Bangladesh presence to enhance law and order and strengthen border security.  

Following the session on the home affairs and agriculture ministries, he further said the DCs also suggested increasing the presence of the Navy Police and expanding the Industrial Police force.  

He noted that while law and order remain generally satisfactory, there is room for further improvement, and the situation is gradually improving.  

DCs also proposed introducing universal military training for youths to engage them in national defence efforts, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz told journalists after a session on the defence ministry and the Armed Forces Division.  

He said DCs spoke about enhancing civil-military cooperation, suggesting expanded orientation programmes at the division level to strengthen understanding between civil administrations and military forces.  

They also enquired about the possibility of implementing universal military training, allowing youths to receive military instruction and actively contribute to national defence, Hafiz added.  

At the DC conference, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar said the government is sympathetic toward assistant teacher candidates in primary schools whose appointments were cancelled, as the exam results were declared following all legal procedures.  

He made the remarks while responding to media questions after the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education's working session at the DC conference.  

CEC Nasir further said DCs have been instructed to fully utilise their legal powers.  

"We want DCs to work proactively, not reactively – based on complaints or media reports. I've emphasised that any form of election-related crime will be traced," he said. 

"We aim to fulfil our promise. We've instructed the DCs and divisional commissioners to fully carry out their roles."  

On the election preparations, he added, "DCs have been told to actively engage in election activities. In every meeting and gathering, include election-related messages to raise awareness. People have lost faith in elections, and we need to restore trust by emphasising the importance of the right to vote."  

He said this is a battle to ensure a fair election. The DCs are key allies of the Election Commission and have committed to working accordingly.  

"Previously, there was pressure from various quarters. I assured the DCs that we will not impose illegal pressure on them. We will fully utilise the law and expect them to do the same," said the CEC. 

"If any pressure comes from above, we will bear it, but they should only exercise the legal power granted to them. In the past, this power was not applied properly, and we want that to change."  

He said the DCs raised concerns about storage issues and harassment related to NID, adding that the Election Commission is taking steps to resolve these problems.