Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the people of the country are now focused on the upcoming election. He stated that there is no threat to the election and that it will be conducted smoothly. He affirmed that the election will be free, fair, credible, and festive, and that the administration is working towards this goal.
He made the remarks on Wednesday (November 5) at the Bhawal Conference Room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Gazipur while speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials from the administration, police, and law enforcement agencies.
The adviser said that the national parliamentary election is scheduled for February and that the meeting discussed the preparations made so far. Local issues in Gazipur were also addressed. He added that several rumours related to the election, being spread from neighboring countries on social media, have subsided as journalists have reported the facts.
He further stated that the biggest problems in society are corruption and drug abuse. The meeting focused on ways to eliminate these issues. Addressing the drug problem will require cooperation from everyone, as drug abuse has spread to both villages and towns. Without collective effort, the situation could worsen, and public awareness must be raised.
The adviser noted that Gazipur, being an industrial area, attracts many people seeking livelihoods, many of whom are not local residents. Maintaining good relations with them is essential. He also mentioned that the city has a high number of jhut traders, some of whom cause problems at times. Extortion is also prevalent, and the meeting discussed ways to control these activities.
He mentioned that there is a shortage of police personnel in Gazipur and that 650 additional personnel have been deployed. The number of police will be further increased during the elections.
Responding to journalists’ questions regarding the bail release of several Awami League leaders and activists, he said that if they commit any wrongdoing after being released on bail, they will be immediately brought under the law. He emphasized that the decision to grant bail is entirely within the jurisdiction of the courts, which operate independently.