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India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bangladesh Army chief vows support for 'free, fair and neutral' elections
Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on Tuesday said the military was ready to assist the interim government in ensuring "free, fair and neutral" parliamentary elections, scheduled for February next year."The country is heading towards the national election, and the army has taken all necessary preparations to support the government in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election," he said, as quoted by Bangladeshi media The army chief made these remarks at the Officers' Address programme held at Dhaka Cantonment, attended by senior officers in person while others from different cantonments joined his address, General Zaman called on soldiers to uphold discipline and professionalism. "The people of the country are now looking to you. You are the future of the nation. Therefore, you must remain inspired by patriotism and uphold the chain of command of the force," he told also responded to negative remarks about the army circulating on social media. "Those making such remarks are young, like our children. They will understand their mistakes as they grow older and will feel ashamed," he POWER DYNAMICS IN PLAYBangladesh has faced political turmoil since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5 last year. In the aftermath, an unelected interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus took prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has re-emerged as the largest party after Yunus' interim administration allowed Awami League activities through an executive the National Citizen Party (NCP) -- formed by members of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which led protests against Hasina -- has entered into politics with apparent support from Yunus. Reports claim the NCP has developed links with the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist factions, putting it at odds with the repeated promises from Yunus and his advisers about holding free and fair elections on schedule, political parties remain wary. Many are uneasy about the growing influence of the NCP, along with its rhetoric and POLLS ROADMAP TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEKEarlier this month, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed that elections would be conducted in February. The Election Commission later announced that the 13th parliamentary polls would take place in the first week of the top polls body will announce the action plan for the upcoming general elections within this week.- EndsWith inputs from PTIMust Watch
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Military ready to aid govt in conducting ‘free, fair and neutral' polls: Bangladesh Army chief
DHAKA: Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on Tuesday said that the military was prepared to assist the interim government in ensuring "free, fair and neutral" general elections planned for February next year. "The country is heading towards the national election, and the army has taken all necessary preparations to support the government in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election," he was quoted as saying by several mainstream media outlets. General Zaman made the remarks at the Officers' Address programme at Dhaka Cantonment, attended by senior officers. Officers from other cantonments across the country joined the event virtually. Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the elections would be held in February, and the Election Commission subsequently announced that the polls would be held in the first week of February. In his address, General Zaman reminded soldiers that they belong to a professional force and must demonstrate professionalism. "The people of the country are now looking to you. You are the future of the nation. Therefore, you must remain inspired by patriotism and uphold the chain of command of the force," he added. Referring to misinformation on social media against the army, he said, "Those making such remarks are young, like our children. They will understand their mistakes as they grow older and will feel ashamed." Former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the single largest party in Awami League's absence after Yunus' government disbanded its activities under an executive order. An offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which led protests against then-premier Sheikh Hasina, formed the National Citizen Party (NCP) in February, apparently with Yunus' blessings. The NCP is believed to have developed ties with the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist groups against the BNP. Despite assurances by Yunus and several of his advisers about free and fair polls within the announced deadline, a sense of uncertainty grew among political parties because of the comments and gestures of the NCP.
