Police fully prepared to ensure free, fair election: Home adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) on Sunday said the police force is fully prepared to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is held in a free, fair and impartial manner.

Speaking as the chief guest at the passing-out parade of Assistant Superintendents of Police at the Sardah Police Academy in Rajshahi on Sunday morning, he said maintaining human dignity and the rule of law largely depends on the conduct of police personnel at the field level.

“Peace cannot be established by the use of force alone without gaining public trust,” the adviser said, adding that the police are completely ready to conduct the forthcoming national election in a free, fair and neutral environment.

He said around 100,000 police personnel have been given special training to ensure security during the election period.

The home affairs adviser emphasised that the police are not protectors of any political party, but employees of the state funded by taxpayers’ money.

“The core responsibility of the police is to serve the people and ensure the rule of law,” he said.

He instructed police officers to remain 100% neutral while performing election duties and warned them against accepting any unethical benefits or hospitality. In the event of any disorder at polling centres, he said, police must take firm action in line with the advice of the returning officers.

Describing the Bangladesh Police as more than an ordinary force, the adviser said it must work as a servant of the state and the people.

To build a “new Bangladesh,” he added, the police force must be founded on knowledge, ethics, transparency, accountability and people-friendly service.