Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday 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 scheduled for February 12.
“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 while addressing a briefing arranged for the returning officers and the senior field officers.
The Election Commission arranged the briefing on electoral management affairs for deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and other field-level high officials at 10:00am at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area, ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Besides DCs and SPs, the briefing is being attended by 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 and four election commissioners—Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Saker, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah—provided guidelines and instructions to ensure free, fair, and festive elections. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed presided over the briefing.
Road blockades cause severe traffic congestion in Dhaka
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.
He praised the EC’s initiatives, including empowering the Electoral Inquiry Committee to conduct summary trials for immediate action on election-related offenses. “This provision is highly timely,” he said.
During the briefing, the IGP sought clarification on field-level police transfers, particularly the lower police personnel like sub-inspector (SI) and constables.
Quota reform: Protesters start road blockade in Dhaka amid warning by police
He 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.
High-level government officials also attended the opening session of the briefing.