COX'S BAZAR, Jan 5: Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah remarked that the Election Commission (EC) is proceeding with three directives: transparency, impartiality, and firmness.
He stated that the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar will be sealed for several days before and after the national parliamentary election. Necessary instructions have been issued to law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities for this purpose.
He made these comments as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting organised by the 'Law and Order Maintenance Cell' on the occasion of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum. The meeting was held on Sunday evening at the Shaheed ATM Zafar Alam Conference Room of the Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's office.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah said that during the election period, Rohingyas must not be allowed to participate in processions or meetings in any way, nor should anyone be able to use them for criminal activities. Therefore, the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf must be sealed for several days before and after the vote.
At this time, he cautioned law-enforcement agencies, stating that the upcoming national parliamentary election is extremely important, and if this election is not conducted properly, everyone will have to bear the consequences.
Announcing that joint force operations will commence from now on centring the 13th national parliamentary election, Election Commissioner Sanaullah said, "This operation will have three main objectives: recovering illegal arms, arresting identified terrorists, and addressing major violations of the electoral code of conduct."
Commenting that this election cannot be conducted 'mincingly', the Election Commissioner further said, "There is no room for exerting unethical influence in this election. If anyone is aggrieved, they will seek legal recourse. Nothing will be achieved through force."
The views-exchange meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Md. Abdul Mannan. Senior officials and representatives from various law-enforcement agencies and organisations deployed in Cox's Bazar were present.
Earlier, around 12:30 pm, he held a views-exchange meeting with the law and order committees of Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas at the Ukhiya Upazila Parishad auditorium on the occasion of the national election and Referendum -2026.
Addressing the officials engaged in election conduct at that time, the Election Commissioner further said, 'Do not lean towards any side, do not tilt towards any direction, and do not be intimidated by anyone's words. You will not be cowed if someone threatens you. You will perform your duties as required by following the law.'
He said, 'This is an election to restore everyone's image. It is an election to restore the image of political institutions, the Election Commission, the administration, the police, and everyone.'
The meeting was presided over by Cox's Bazar Additional DC Imran Hossain Sajib and conducted by Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Rifaat Asmar.
The District Election Officer, senior officials from BGB, police, APBn, RAB, officers from various government departments, political leaders, representatives of civil society, and many others present spoke at the meeting.
