The Bangladesh Army, like the country’s people, wants a free, fair, and peaceful election to be held in line with the government’s outlined roadmap, said Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Headquarters’ Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).

“The country’s stability will improve if the election is held. The law and order situation will gradually normalise, and the army will return to the cantonments. We are looking forward to that,” he said at a press conference at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday afternoon.

Lt Gen Mainur Rahman said the army has been deployed outside the cantonments for the past 15 months, which has affected its training activities. “Despite that, the army continues to discharge its duties with utmost professionalism,” he added.

He also alleged that some vested quarters were deliberately spreading false and fabricated propaganda on social media to question the leadership of the army. “I want to assure you that every member of the army is loyal to the Chief of Army Staff and the senior leadership. The army is now more united than ever before,” he said.

Regarding social media misinformation, he noted, “Our truth and our work are enough to counter lies. The army has always performed its duties responsibly and will continue to do so in the future.”