The interim government has called upon all to refrain from holding any illegal or unauthorised public gatherings or launching movements following the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. 

At a meeting of the home ministry on Tuesday, it was decided that from the announcement of the schedule until the election, any illegal or unauthorised gatherings or movements that cause public inconvenience will be strictly controlled.

Those who participate in such unlawful assemblies will be brought to book, according to a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the poll schedule may be announced on Wednesday evening or on Thursday.

The interim government’s primary objective at the moment is to ensure that the national election, scheduled to be held in the first half of February, is free, fair, impartial, acceptable and festive, read the release. 

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “We know that many people have legitimate demands. Over the past one and a half years, protesters have organised more than 2,000 demonstrations to present their demands to the interim government. 

“The government has always responded to just demands and tried to reach solutions through discussions with the protesters.”

The adviser said, “But we are now in an election-focused period. Therefore, on behalf of the interim government, everyone is being urged to present whatever demands they have to the post-election government. 

“We hope that, during this time, no one will stir unrest over demands or disrupt normal public order,” he added.