Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury attended a meeting of the “law and order core committee” at the ministry. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today asked every law enforcement agencies to remain extra vigilant against violence or unpleasant incidents during the ongoing election campaign.

“Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to ensure that no clashes or unwanted incidents occur among political parties and candidates during this (campaign) period,” he told reporters after a meeting of the “law and order core committee” at the ministry.

Chowdhury said he instructed law enforcement personnel to ignore illegal orders led by vested interests or partisan point of view adding even unlawful directives from higher authorities must not be followed.

In line with the Election Commission schedule the campaign for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election began on January 22 and will continue until 7:30 am on February 10, 2026 while the voting will be held on February 12, when a referendum will be staged as well.

Chowdhury said maintaining law and order through maximum security measures was government’s top priority while he also sought political parties’ cooperation to maintain peace and order.

The adviser said a law and order coordination cell was formed at the home ministry for the national election and referendum 2026.

“We want to present the nation a neutral and festive election that will be a role model in Bangladesh’s electoral history,” he said adding the home ministry was working in a coordinated manner to fulfill this goal.

The home ministry, meanwhile, provided a set of emergency contact numbers to lodge law and order related complaints during the election period.

The phone numbers are: 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702 and 02-47118703, as well as mobile numbers 01550-064226 (WhatsApp) and 01550-064227.

Officials familiar with the meeting said it reviewed the overall law and order situation, progress of Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2, recovery of illegal and looted weapons, anti-drug operations, and measures to prevent violence and maintain order during the election campaign.

Home ministry’s senior secretary Nasimul Ghani, police’s inspector general (IGP) Baharul Alam and other senior officials were present at the press briefing.