BNP Says Police Role in Elections “Relatively Weak”

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of BNP’s Standing Committee, has stated that the effectiveness of the police in maintaining law and order in the country remains relatively weak. He noted that this concern was clearly raised during discussions with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commission regarding election preparations.

Speaking at a briefing after meeting the CEC in Agargaon, Dhaka on Sunday, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We have seen that the Election Commission is preparing adequately. However, there are still some concerns regarding law and order. We believe the country’s police are not fully capable of handling this responsibility.”

He added that efforts are underway to address these weaknesses, and with a few months remaining until the election, the situation is expected to improve.

Preparation for Deployment of Army and Navy
The BNP delegation said the Commission will request the government to deploy additional army personnel during the election period. The Navy and Coast Guard will also be responsible for duties in coastal areas.

Regarding participation of expatriate voters, BNP requested that those holding regular passports, even without a national ID, be allowed to vote. Verification procedures will be in place to prevent abuse by fake passport holders, Nazrul Islam noted.

Discussion on Electoral Boundaries and Code of Conduct
Nazrul Islam Khan further stated that BNP discussed the electoral boundary determination process with the Commission. The Commission has set boundaries considering geographical and administrative integrity, and voter lists have been aligned accordingly.

The party also provided opinions on the electoral code of conduct, though formal discussions have not yet begun.

The BNP delegation at the meeting included Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Ismail Jabiullah, a member of the Chairperson’s Advisory Council. The meeting was held from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.