Home Affairs Adviser Lt Genl (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday issued a firm warning to members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), directing them to stay away from any unethical, partisan or duty-breaching activities that could undermine the credibility of the national election.
Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Ansar and VDP Academy in Safipur, the adviser made it clear that any attempt to influence or obstruct the electoral process would not be tolerated, stressing that Ansar members must uphold professionalism, neutrality and strict adherence to the law.
The ceremony marked the completion of the 21st basic training of the 41st BCS (Ansar) cadre officers, the basic training of newly appointed thana and upazila trainers, and the basic training of the 26th and 27th batches of Ansar Battalion male recruit sepoys.
Jahangir Alam said 5,55,958 Ansar-VDP members would be deployed at 42,766 polling centres across the country during the forthcoming national election. Each polling centre will have 13 members, including three armed personnel, six unarmed male members and four unarmed female members, he said.
The adviser said 1,191 Ansar Battalion striking force teams would be deployed nationwide, with 10 members in each team, totalling 11,910 personnel. The deployment, he noted, would significantly reinforce the overall election security framework.
Calling for collective responsibility, the adviser said ensuring a free, fair and impartial election was a sacred duty essential for safeguarding the country’s future and must be carried out with integrity, discipline and professionalism.
He also delivered a strong message against corruption, describing it as the biggest enemy of the state. “Corruption does not only inflict economic damage; it corrodes state institutions from within and destroys public confidence,” he said.
The adviser warned that any Ansar member acting out of personal interest, greed or political gain would not only be breaking the law but also weakening the foundations of the state. “Bangladesh Ansar and VDP is not a force of any political party or vested group. It is a state institution funded by taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Election disruption attempts to be met with iron hand: Home Adviser
Jahangir Alam urged members not to comply with any illegal orders, vested agendas or partisan instructions under any circumstances.
At the event, four outstanding trainees were awarded crests by the chief guest for their exemplary performance.
Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, along with other senior officials of the force, attended the programme. Guardians of the trainees were also present.