Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that officials and law enforcement personnel who served in the last three general elections will not be assigned duties in the upcoming national polls, in a bid to ensure transparency and neutrality.

“To guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election, we have decided to avoid appointing those who performed election duties in 2014, 2018, and 2024,” the adviser told reporters after chairing a meeting of the core committee on law and order at the Home Ministry on Sunday.

Jahangir said the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent any disruption during the upcoming polls. “There will be no problem—the election will be held in a better and more orderly manner,” he assured.

When asked whether he was seeking a safe exit from the interim government, the adviser dismissed the idea. “My children live in this country. Why would I leave alone?” he replied.

The meeting, he said, focused on finalising the Home Ministry’s preparations for conducting credible elections. “Strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to create unrest or chaos ahead of the polls,” Jahangir added.

He said Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, and Officers-in-Charge across the country have been instructed to perform their duties impartially. Law enforcement personnel and polling officials will also be warned against engaging in any illegal activities.

Security arrangements for the election will include CCTV cameras at all vulnerable polling stations and body-worn cameras for on-duty officers to enhance accountability and transparency. “We have also decided to strengthen patrols and intelligence monitoring to prevent deterioration of law and order,” the adviser said.

According to Jahangir, training for members of law enforcement agencies will be completed soon, covering 1.5 lakh police, 5.85 lakh Ansar, and 33,000 Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel. Additionally, 80,000 members of the armed forces will be deployed to assist in maintaining security during the election.

He added that necessary precautions are being taken to ensure peace during the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, particularly in areas affected by boundary delimitations.

Commenting on the broader law and order situation, the adviser said the Chittagong Hill Tracts remain stable and that “sudden processions” by supporters of the ousted Awami League have sharply declined.

He also alleged that “fascist elements and their allies” attempted to incite unrest during the recent Durga Puja celebrations, but their efforts were thwarted by the vigilance of law enforcement agencies.

On anti-drug efforts, Jahangir reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance. “We have directed law enforcement to arrest not only the drug carriers but also the masterminds behind the trade and bring them to justice,” he said.