Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. File Photo

DHAKA, Nov 3, 2025 (BSS) – The government has intensified preparations to hold the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, scheduled for February next year, in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, said Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

“The interim government is entirely election-focused, with comprehensive security and coordination plans already in motion,” he said.

The Home Adviser, on several occasions, confirmed the readiness of the government to hold the upcoming elections in February.

As part of election preparations, a total of 7.68 lakh members of various law enforcement agencies — including police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar and VDP — are receiving specialized electoral training to ensure neutrality and efficiency during the upcoming election.

Around 1.5 lakh officers are being trained under nine modules designed by the Police Headquarters’ Human Resources Division, with input from legal and election experts.

Around 5.85 lakh members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP — including 1.35 lakh armed and 4.5 lakh unarmed personnel — are being trained for deployment to 45,000 polling stations, averaging 13 personnel per center.

Apart from police and Ansar, 33,000 members from Border Guard Bangladesh (1,100 platoons) are completing election training, with full readiness expected by December 31.

The Home Adviser hoped that the training will be accomplished by January 15 next.

Additionally, 80,000 armed forces personnel will act as striking forces to reinforce law and order during the polls.

Chowdhury said special drives are being carried out to recover illegal arms and ensure peace ahead of the election.

Election control rooms will be set up at the Police Headquarters and in all districts for real-time coordination, while CCTV and body-worn cameras will be used wherever possible to ensure transparency.

Jahangir reaffirmed that the media will have unrestricted access to cover the elections, and a sufficient number of observers will be accredited to monitor the process.

Mobile teams and striking forces will remain on standby nationwide to swiftly address any security issues.

About new appointments in the law enforcement forces for election duties, the Home Adviser stated that 10,264 police personnel, 2,145 Ansar and VDP members, 5,513 BGB members, and 634 Coast Guard personnel have been newly appointed for election responsibilities.