EC orders vigilance, crackdown to prevent secret attacks

Assuring that there is no uncertainty surrounding the upcoming parliamentary election, the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday directed law enforcement agencies to maintain heightened vigilance and take firm action to prevent possible clandestine attacks aimed at disrupting the polls.
It said any attempt to sabotage or obstruct the electoral process will be dealt with decisively, reaffirming that the election will be held on schedule.
An emergency meeting on law and order was held at the Nirbachan Bhaban with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. The meeting was attended by four election commissioners and senior officials of the law enforcement agencies.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the EC is not ruling out the possibility of secret attacks, and stressed the need for preventive measures.
“The objective is to ensure such incidents are not repeated and, if attempted, are suppressed with a firm hand. The EC’s message is very clear: there is no concern about the election. It will be held on time, and any effort to create obstacles will be dealt with decisively,” he said.
The election commissioner said discussions also focused on areas requiring enhanced action, including creating deterrence through increased checkpoints to restrict militant movement, arresting those currently at large, and bringing them under the law.
Operations against illegal arms and ammunition – particularly lost or missing weapons – were also discussed, he said, noting that the issue had been raised earlier and reiterated at the meeting.
Sharif Osman Hadi, Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and potential candidate from Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the capital on Friday, just a day after the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and a referendum was announced, prompting the EC to convene the emergency meeting to assess the law-and-order situation, review progress, and issue directives.
Sanaullah said the meeting reviewed developments since the announcement of the schedule and discussed strategic actions going forward.
He said the attack on Osman Hadi was discussed in detail. "We are not disclosing details in the interest of the investigation. However, a few issues have emerged, and individuals involved are being identified," he mentioned.