Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday said that Bangladesh Police is fully capable of ensuring a fair, peaceful and festive environment in the upcoming referendum and the 13th national election slated for February 12.

“We’re completely ready for holding the forthcoming national elections in a fair, peaceful and festive manner,” he said.

The IGP made the remarks while speaking at a meeting on election management with returning officers and field administration officials, held at Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in the capital.

He emphasised that the police will take strict administrative measures to maintain law and order across the country.

Referring to challenges faced by the police in the post-July period, the IGP said that although the force encountered adverse situations while maintaining law and order, it has now overcome those difficulties.

“Having reached this stage before the elections, I firmly believe that our force has acquired sufficient capacity to maintain law and order,” he said.

He also warned against creating public suffering by blocking roads or highways over minor issues.

“It is time to stop the trend of creating unrest in different parts of society by blocking roads and highways over trivial matters. If order cannot be established everywhere, it will be difficult to provide full support to the Election Commission,” he added.

Praising the Election Commission (EC), the police chief welcomed the decision to empower the Electoral Inquiry Committee to conduct summary trials of election-related crimes.

He also thanked the EC for allowing magistrates to seek assistance from any law enforcement agency, in addition to the police, when necessary.

At the meeting, the IGP sought clarification from the EC regarding field-level reshuffles within the police administration.

He noted that while the commission has clear instructions on the transfer of superintendents of police (SPs) and senior officers, further guidelines are needed on whether prior EC approval is required for reshuffles at lower levels, such as constables or sub-inspectors.

Reiterating his commitment, Alam said, “The police are determined to make this election successful and peaceful with all their might and efforts. The countrymen and the Election Commission can have full confidence in us.”

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin was present at the meeting, along with Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, Brig. Gen. Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.), and Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed.