Illegal arms, disinformation pose major challenges to BD polls: Officials

The scene at Aspen Insurance at Election Commission.

Dhaka, Dec 23 - The top officials of the field administration and police on Tuesday identified a range of challenges before the Election Commission (EC) in ensuring a polls-friendly environment ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.

They said the recovery of illegal arms, curbing AI-generated disinformation and controlling digital money transfers have emerged as major concerns in maintaining law and order and ensuring a credible electoral process.

Besides, the granting bail of identified criminals, inter-party conflict and intra-party conflicts, scarcity of transport vehicles are among other challenges raised by the field-level officials including Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Inspectors General, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police.

The field-level officials placed the challenges and sought stronger mechanisms and necessary instructions to address the challenges at a view-exchange arranged by the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

The views-exchange and briefing on electoral management affairs for deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and other field-level high officials was held ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional reform) Implementation Order, which is scheduled to be held simultaneously on February 12 next year.

Besides, the briefing was attended by the Inspector General of Police, divisional commissioners, metropolitan police commissioners, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) of police, regional election officers and district election officers.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, in his concluding speech in the event, asked the officials to apply the law equally for everyone. “The rule of law means the law will be blind.”

Calling on the field administration to give the highest priority to communal harmony, the CEC said, for example, a Hindu body ‘burnt’ in Mymensingh.

“Bangladesh may face many such instances of incitement. Communal harmony must be maintained. Those in the administration and police must keep maintaining communal harmony as their top priority,” he added.

Earlier in his opening speech, the CEC urged the returning officers (ROs) and field-level administration to act rightly and effectively on time to dispel the blame of failure in delivering a credible election.

“I hope that we all together will discharge the huge responsibility that has fallen on our shoulders. InshAllah, we will fulfill this responsibility properly without any deviation. We will do the right work at the right time, effectively,” he said.

The CEC said he had earlier stated deliberately that the Election Commission wanted to demonstrate what the rule of law truly means, as the Commission and the government administration have been facing collective blame for destroying the electoral system.

“We all are being blamed that we have absolutely failed our responsibility particularly in delivering credible elections. We are being blamed for destroying the election system. It is alleged that we arranged a staged and managed election,” he said.

Nasir Uddin said they want to prove that they can conduct a proper and beautiful election. “We want to be free from this blame. We want to dispel this blame. We want to prove that we can conduct a proper and fair election, and this is possible only through the rule of law,” he said.

During the open discussion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam warned that the growing practice of blocking roads and highways over trivial issues must stop immediately, or else it will hamper the police’s ability to provide full security support for the national election.

“We see attempts to create instability in society through road and highway blockades with minor demands or trivial matters. We think the time has come to stop these (practices). If we cannot establish order everywhere, it will not be possible for us to provide all-out support to the Election Commission for conducting the elections,” he said.

Reflecting on past challenges, IGP Alam said police faced significant difficulties in maintaining law and order due to the reality during the post-July movement period in Bangladesh.

“We must overcome such situations. I believe that we have enhanced our capabilities enough at this stage ahead of this election. We seek the Election Commission’s continued support for taking strict measures (to maintain the order),” he said.

The IGP pledged that the police would exert their utmost efforts to ensure the elections are conducted successfully and peacefully.

“On behalf of Bangladesh Police, I assure the Chief Election Commissioner and all election commissioners that we will be able to hold this election successfully, fairly and peacefully with all our strength and with all our efforts, and we have the full capability to do so. You can have faith in it," he said.

The IGP said the EC issues directives on Superintendents of Police (SP) or senior officer postings, but clear guidelines are needed regarding transfers of lower-ranking personnel such as constables or sub-inspectors.

The Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner warned about the growing threat of AI-generated fake photos and videos influencing elections.

He said the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is often approached to block such content, but fact-checking and takedown take time, which can affect elections.

He proposed forming division-wise cyber patrolling teams, noting that police expertise and manpower in cyber monitoring remain limited.

On digital money transfers, he suggested restricting electronic money transfers seven days before polling, while proposing a transaction ceiling through Bangladesh Bank to avoid adverse economic impacts.

He also stressed the need for maximum emphasis on illegal arms recovery, noting that 455 police-recorded pistols remain unaccounted for, and suggested announcing incentives to boost arms recovery drives.

The Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner suggested coordination with the judiciary to check granting bail for identified criminals, and urged enhanced border security support from the Home Ministry and uninterrupted power supply during the election period particularly during the vote-count.

The Chattogram Deputy Commissioner highlighted challenges in remote and hard-to-reach areas, including Sandwip, calling for urgent arms recovery operations and, if necessary, the arrangement for helicopters and speed boats to address the issue.

He also warned that electronic money transfer systems could be misused to influence voter turnout and suggested suspending such services for a specific period before polling.

The Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner said no official directives had yet been issued on depositing licensed firearms and urged immediate instructions. He also sought a comprehensive policy decision to counter AI-generated misinformation.

He further asked for guidance regarding voting by prisoners released after registering for postal ballots.

The Kishoreganj SP said a lack of transport was hampering arms recovery efforts, though operations were continuing through checkpoints. He added that both inter-party and intra-party conflicts were creating law-and-order challenges.

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police of Chattogram Range expressed concern over what he described as excessive negative portrayal of the law-and-order situation in media and social platforms, warning it could negatively impact voter turnout.

“We are trying our best in arms recovery. We may be falling short, but we are not getting enough support,” he said.

The Sylhet Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of cyber patrolling to counter fake news originating both domestically and abroad, suggesting engagement with social media platforms for content moderation.

The Cumilla Superintendent of Police suggested appointing presiding officers for a constituency outside that parliamentary seat as many officials might have a good relation with candidates in many cases.

Later, in the afternoon, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Home Affairs Khuda Baksh Chowdhury also briefed the officials in Nirbachan Bhaban. But none of them briefed reporters.

Besides, Information Adviser Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan met the CEC. - UNB