The Bangladesh Army, like the people of the country, wants a free, fair, and impartial election in line with the government’s outlined framework, as such an election could help strengthen national stability and gradually improve the law and order situation.

“Like the people of the country, the Bangladesh Army also wants a free, fair, and neutral election according to the government’s roadmap, which includes a specific timeframe. We believe that if the election is held, the country’s stability will improve, the law and order situation will return to normal, and the army will be able to return to the cantonments. We are looking forward to that,” said Lt Gen Md Mainur Rahman, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).

He made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing held at Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday.

The army has been preparing in accordance with the framework outlined by the government, Lt Gen Mainur said.

“We are currently conducting our training programmes on a limited scale, focusing on what we need to do during the elections. In peacetime, the army’s key responsibility is to prepare for war. As we always say, we train as we fight,” he added.

Referring to the army’s deployment over the past 15 months, the ARTDOC GOC said, “If we are required to remain deployed until the election or even for a short period afterward, we may have to stay out a bit longer. This has disrupted our regular training.”

Highlighting the challenges faced by the force, Lt Gen Mainur said, “The army has been deployed in support of the civil administration for the last 15 months and has been operating under very challenging and adverse conditions. During this period, the Bangladesh Army has carried out its duties with the highest level of professionalism.”