Full authority of armed forces sought for fair election

The Ex-Forces Association has demanded that the armed forces be given full control authority, including magistracy power, to ensure that the upcoming national parliamentary election is conducted fairly. This demand was made yesterday at a seminar titled ‘The role of the armed forces in ensuring fair voting in elections: possibilities and actions’, held at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the National Press Club.

Speakers said that an impartial and active role of the armed forces is essential to ensure a fair, acceptable, and safe thirteenth national election. They noted that a coordinated security arrangement involving full control authority and magistracy power of the army could prevent vote-rigging and violence.

They added that proper preparation by the government would increase public confidence, ensure fair voting, and maintain national stability. The seminar was presided over by the association’s president, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Saifullah Khan Saif. Guests included Brigadier General (Retd.) Rokon Uddin, Rashed Khan (General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad), Amjonota Party Member Secretary Fatema Tasnim, Sabuj Andolon President Bappi Sarkar, and other association leaders.

The seminar was moderated by the association’s vice-president Mushfiqur Rahman.
Md Rokon Uddin said that past experience shows party-aligned administration plays a major role in vote-rigging and violence. Therefore, deploying the armed forces with full magistracy power is necessary to ensure a fair election. He added that the large number of illegal weapons still circulating in the country could lead to increased violence before the election if not recovered.

He also said that long-term deployment affects the army’s training, family life, and morale. Responsibilities should therefore be clearly defined and limited. The army is a symbol of public trust and national sovereignty. Foreign influence and misinformation aim to weaken the relationship between the people and the armed forces.

Rashed Khan stated that the active involvement of the armed forces is vital for ensuring a free and fair election. The government has failed to create the proper electoral environment, resulting in growing public doubt—even questioning whether the election will take place at all. Thus, all forces, including the army, must stand with the people to ensure a fair election free from authoritarian influence.

In a written statement, Lieutenant (Retd.) Saifullah Khan said that the association expects just and zero-tolerance application of magistracy power by the armed forces to ensure stability, transparency, and acceptability in the upcoming national election. They believe that violence, muscle power, and administrative bias are the biggest challenges to the electoral environment. Therefore, the army must be allowed to carry out its professional and neutral role free from political interference.

Source: Bangladesh Pratidin.

Khaborwala/TSN