Yunus to SPs: Make election exemplary, rise above past 'fraudulent' polls

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on the superintendents of police (SPs) to treat the upcoming national election as a "historic responsibility" and work to organise a smooth and acceptable poll.

He made this call today at a views-exchange meeting with the newly appointed superintendents of police of all 64 districts at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon.

"This election is not an ordinary one; this election has come at the cost of the sacrifice of those who were martyred in the July mass uprising," he said, according to the CA Press Wing.

"We dreamed of a new Bangladesh through the mass uprising. Through the upcoming election, we will move towards realising that dream," he added.

The chief adviser announced that a referendum will also be held alongside the upcoming general election, which will serve as the foundation for building the Bangladesh of the future.

"Through the referendum, we will get a new foundation that will guide this nation forward for the next hundred years," he said.

Yunus told the SPs they must conduct the election in a way that allows them to "present this election to the world as an exemplary one," noting that many international delegations and election observers will monitor the process.

"We have all witnessed elections in the past. Some call them mock elections; others call them fraudulent and farcical. We must rise above that and establish a new standard," he said.

Emphasising the need for officials to be proactive and creative in ensuring a free and fair election, the chief adviser said, "Not everything can be written down on paper. While performing your duties, think about how the work can be done even better."

Bringing about that change is a major responsibility of the police force, he added.

He suggested organising competitions among police members at district or divisional levels to improve performance and enhance enthusiasm, with prize arrangements for outside work.

Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Md Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, and Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam also attended the meeting.