Law enforcers ready for national polls in first half of February: Home adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has reassured the readiness of the law enforcement agencies to hold the 13th parliamentary elections in the first half of February next.

"I hope the election will be held on time. However, setting the specific date is the responsibility of the Election Commission," he said during a meeting with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Rüdiger Lotz at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon (18 November), reads a press release.

The home adviser also said law enforcement agencies are fully prepared for any date the Election Commission finalises.

Replying to a question from the ambassador, Jahangir said the law and order situation remained normal after a tribunal awarded death sentence to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of crime against humanity for ordering crackdown during the student-led July Uprising. 

"The law and order situation remains stable, barring a few isolated incidents," he said and warned of stern action for any attempts to disrupt the law and order. 

He said crime rates are under control and citizens are now able to express their opinions freely.

"If anyone wants to disrupt the law and order situation, it will be dealt with a strong hand," he warned. 

The discussion covered key bilateral and domestic issues, including public reactions following recent court verdict against Sheikh Hasina, the upcoming national election schedule, election preparedness, cybercrime, prisoner extradition agreements, and the overall law and order situation in the country.

The adviser said Germany and Bangladesh remain tested friends and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties. 

The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary (Political) of Home Ministry Khandaker Md Mahabubur Rahman, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Germany in Dhaka Anja Kersten and other officials.