Dhaka: Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday called upon the top leadership of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to exercise utmost caution during the forthcoming election period. He emphasized that any deviation from lawful and responsible conduct at the grassroots level could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Prof Yunus highlighted the significance of the upcoming referendum and national election, scheduled for February 12, as pivotal to the democratic future of Bangladesh. Addressing senior Armed Forces officers at Army Headquarters, he stressed the essential role of the military in ensuring a free, fair, impartial, and celebratory electoral environment.
Prof Yunus underscored the need for heightened vigilance to guarantee a credible election, describing the forthcoming polls as a crucial moment in the country’s democratic transition. He expressed confidence in the Armed Forces, hoping they would fulfill their duties with professionalism and neutrality, as they have in the past.
In his address, the Chief Adviser paid tribute to the martyrs of the Great Liberation War and those who perished during the July-August student-people uprising. He acknowledged the Armed Forces’ contribution to maintaining peace and stability nationwide and their historical role in controlling the law-and-order situation during the post-fascist era.
Reflecting on the aspirations of a nation long deprived of voting rights, Prof Yunus remarked that the July 2024 uprising signified a collective desire for self-determination. He noted that participation in the upcoming elections would be the ultimate realization of this aspiration, with the referendum enabling citizens to express their views on the future state system and the national election allowing them to choose representatives to implement these views.
Prof Yunus highlighted the significance of the upcoming elections, noting that they surpass previous ones in importance. He pointed out that many young voters would be casting their ballots for the first time, while older citizens would return to the polls after prolonged disenfranchisement.
He stressed the collective responsibility to ensure a fear-free and festive voting environment, identifying the Armed Forces as a crucial partner in this endeavor. Prof Yunus reiterated that free, fair, and acceptable elections are foundational to a democratic state, emphasizing the need for maximum support to the administration and the Election Commission to enable citizens to exercise their franchise without fear or undue influence.
Calling for collective efforts towards a peaceful, stable, and democratic Bangladesh, Prof Yunus remarked on the need to modernize and strengthen the Armed Forces, whose capabilities were neglected during the fascist rule. He shared that initiatives are underway to establish factories for manufacturing military arms and equipment to enhance self-reliance and capacity.
Prof Yunus also mentioned the signing of defence cooperation memoranda with the Netherlands and Malaysia, with plans to sign similar agreements with other countries, including Italy, Japan, and Thailand. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with invited guests.