Election to be held in February without doubt: Adviser Sakhawat

Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has reaffirmed that the national election will be held in February without any doubt.

"The election will be held on time and there is no confusion about it. Even within the Council of Advisers, there is no doubt. The Election Commission will conduct the polls, and we will have no role in it," he told reporters after inspecting several development projects in Barishal today (13 September).

Sakhawat, also the shipping adviser, expressed the hope that those elected would lead the country in a democratic way.

Asked about security during the upcoming election, he said, "As long as we are here, we are trying our best to maintain control. During the polls, law enforcement agencies will function under the Election Commission, and I believe they will be able to handle the situation."

On campus polls, the adviser noted that the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election was not a matter for the interim government.

"There were fears that Ducsu and Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union [Jucsu] elections might deteriorate law and order, but we saw they were completed smoothly. Any other issues are for the university authorities to address," he added.

During the visit, Sakhawat inspected canal restoration, port road and passenger terminal projects, expressing satisfaction over their progress.

The adviser said Barishal's divisional commissioner and district administration would take measures to restore canals, with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) extending support to improve navigation and build walkways along the canals.

He also announced that a new paddle steamer service on the Barishal–Dhaka route will be launched by October for passenger travel.