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Published : 15 Dec 2025, 02:57 AM
The Election Commission (EC) has long said it wants the election climate to remain “tolerable” and under control. After the schedule was announced, the question now is whether that hope can survive contact with events on the ground.
On Sunday, the first working day after the polls timetable was declared, the commission sat down with law-enforcing agencies to try to draw up a blueprint for a peaceful vote.
Against the backdrop of an assassination attempt of a prospective candidate that has jolted national politics, the EC also warned parties and candidates to be wary of “saboteurs and infiltrators” posing as allies.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah raised the issue directly in the meeting.
“One thing must be said - those who are coming to stand beside us as our ‘friends’, we all have to be cautious about them,” he told the law enforcers. “This is especially true for political parties and individuals who are now out in the field.”
The discussion took on added weight after the shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convenor of the Inqulab Moncho platform and a potential independent candidate in Dhaka-8 constituency, the day after the schedule was announced.
As uproar and rumours spread over the attack, the meeting examined in detail not only how to reassure voters and dispel fear, but also how to keep candidates physically safe.
Even before formal campaigning has begun in earnest, early signs suggested that it would not be easy. There have already been minor clashes between rival camps and at least one arson attack on an election office.
Within that pattern, the attack on Hadi has appeared as an ominous signal. For the chief election commissioner, the shooting in broad daylight in the capital, so soon after the schedule was unveiled, felt like a metaphorical bolt from the blue.
In response, the commission has stressed that it cannot rely solely on law enforcement. Alongside proper action by the forces, it is urging parties to keep close watch on their own circles and to remain alert to hostile actors in their midst.
TOUGH LINE TO PREVENT REPEAT OF ‘STEALTH’ ATTACKS
The heads of law-enforcing bodies attended Sunday’s meeting at the EC Secretariat to review overall security ahead of the parliamentary elections and a referendum.
According to participants, it was made clear that the government’s response will be tough if anyone attempts to obstruct a fair election. The EC also pressed political parties to remain united against violence and disruption.
Citing the risk of covert attacks and attempts to sabotage the vote, it called for a hard line to ensure such incidents are prevented or swiftly contained.
It warned that while some untoward events may occur in the run-up to the polls, they must under no circumstances be allowed to spiral out of control. From now on, all agencies have been instructed to keep the electoral climate “within tolerable limits”.
Commissioner Sanaullah summed it up this way: “Some incidents do happen around elections, that is a reality. But they must never be allowed to get out of control.”
ORDER TO ARREST CRIMINALS, RECOVER ILLEGAL ARMS
Ahead of the polls, many criminals are currently out on bail and some possess illegal weapons. At the meeting, the EC outlined its expectations of the law-enforcing agencies. While expressing satisfaction with their work, the commission also pointed out areas requiring further action.
The EC emphasised the need to create deterrence by setting up more checkpoints to restrict criminal activities and movement, arresting those currently roaming free, and bringing them to book.
The Commission has once again urged the recovery of lost and illegal weapons since Aug 5, 2024.
Commissioner Sanaullah said, "Campaigns to recover illegal weapons and ammunition that are outside, and lost weapons and ammunition, were reiterated today.”
He said the commission had been assured that the second phase of a coordinated hunt operation had resumed from the previous day.
The meeting also highlighted intelligence operations along the borders and in the south-eastern region.
Sanaullah said discussions focused on ensuring coordination among intelligence inputs from all relevant forces, with particular emphasis on border areas and the south-east.
He added that recent trends observed in Rohingya-populated areas and along the border had drawn attention, and the EC had asked for an assessment of whether these were linked to any larger incidents.
He said the commission remained fully aware of and alert to the overall situation.
EC’S MESSAGE: REMAIN VIGILANT
Even though the law-enforcing agencies are performing well, they have been instructed not to be complacent but to be firm in preventing the recurrence of incidents.
The retired brigadier general said: "The message is very clear -- law-enforcing agencies are actively working in the field. The nature of the covert attacks that have already occurred is being ascertained. Appropriate effective measures will be taken to prevent them."
Advice has been given to be cautious even of those who stand by them, posing as allies.
The election commissioner said, "We all must be careful about those who are standing by us, posing as our friends. Especially the political parties and individuals who are now in the field, because this incident gives us a wake-up call.
“The saboteurs, the infiltrators, can be present by apparently acting as our cooperators."
The former army officer's view is that if they commit an incident inside a house, or in such proximity, action might be taken against them later. But the damage will be done; hence, everyone needs to be cautious.
NO MUTUAL BLAME AMONG PARTIES; CRIMINALS MUST NOT GET A CHANCE
Election Commissioner Sanaullah advised the political parties to remain united and avoid mutual blame.
He said: "Another issue that came up in the discussion is that political parties, in particular, often blame each other, and on this occasion, terrorists or saboteurs must not get a chance or be spared."
He said various types of misleading, premature information given on social media are either inciting these terrorists or helping them to escape.
"They should not get these opportunities. Law-enforcing agencies are aware of and working on these matters. Overall, the message was to ensure that the electoral climate remains tolerable from now on."
SUCH INCIDENTS TO ‘CREATE FEAR’
The day after the election schedule for the Feb 12 polls was announced, a prospective candidate was attacked, just as campaigning was about to begin.
The EC believes the incident was intended to spread fear among voters and candidates.
Responding to a question, Sanaullah said the intention behind such acts was clearly to create an atmosphere of fear, and the meeting had been convened precisely to counter that.
He said such attempts would not be allowed to succeed.
Asked whether concerns over further clandestine attacks had been discussed, he said the meeting had been held with those risks in mind.
He noted that such attacks might not be isolated incidents and that discussions focused on how to prevent them and deter those contemplating such acts, and how to immediately bring anyone attempting an attack under the law.
Amidst various government measures, the EC has requested an assessment of the overall environment and future steps.
The election commissioner said, "What we did on behalf of the Election Commission was to seek their feedback based on an assessment of its impact on the election and the electoral climate. We delivered our statements."
He reported that the home ministry also expressed the concern that many identified terrorists had been previously detained but were released on bail over a period of time.
He mentioned a clear reference point ahead and urged special caution.
EC UNAWARE OF CANDIDATES’ ARMS LICENCES
The plan that emerged from the core committee meeting on law and order mentioned providing security to potential candidates and frontline July Uprising activists.
Asked how security would be provided to those who are not July Uprising frontline members but are contesting the election, the home advisor said on Saturday: "We will take measures for them as well, and if they ask for personal arms licences, we will grant them.
"In the case of issuing weapons, only government employees used to be given that, but now if those participating in the election also request weapons, we will grant them licences. And if the personal weapons of those participating in the election are deposited, we will return them."
The election commissioner expressed a different opinion on candidates carrying weapons.
Asked if candidates could carry weapons, as valid weapons typically need to be deposited, he said: "No. Can candidates protect themselves by carrying weapons in that manner? We will consider this. Let us discuss what the home advisor said and in what context."
IMPACT ON VOTE
While such incidents are affecting the electoral climate, the EC is optimistic for the future due to the activity of the security forces.
In response to a question, Commissioner Sanaullah said: "Now that the election schedule has been announced, any incident will have a direct or indirect impact on the election.
“That is normal. The law and order situation will also affect the election. Hence, we must also take that into account."
He said that it is impossible to bring every situation down to zero anywhere in the world. But it must be seen whether law-enforcing agencies are playing an effective role or not.
"Some updates have been provided by forces on these matters. We have learned that three people have already been arrested.
“I’m unable to disclose the remaining information for the sake of the investigation," he added.
Sanaullah also brought up the topic of increased security for the Election Building and related matters ahead of the election.
The election commissioner said the cybersecurity cells are already functional.
"You cannot reduce false information to zero. The tendency and its spread must be checked. That is what we are doing. And those we can identify will be brought under the law."
