The interim government on Tuesday urged all to refrain from holding any illegal or unauthorised public gatherings or protest programmes once the schedule for the upcoming national election is announced.

The decision was taken at a meeting at the Home Ministry, said a statement of the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

It said any illegal or unauthorised gatherings, or movements that cause public inconvenience during the election period will be strictly controlled.

Those who will participate in unauthorised assemblies will face legal action, it added.

“The primary objective of the interim government is to ensure that the 13th national election, to be held in the first half of February, is free, fair, neutral, credible and festive. All government efforts are now focused on creating an environment conducive to a well-organised election,” said the statement.

Once the election schedule is announced, all law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, will work to maintain a stable electoral environment, it said.

“Nearly 9 lakh personnel from the armed forces and other agencies will be deployed, the highest number so far to maintain law and order,” the statement added.

Election schedule soon as request made for recording CEC’s address

To support smooth holding of the election, a record 150,000 police officers have already received election-related trainings.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “We know many people have legitimate demands. Over the past one and a half years, protesters have submitted their demands through more than 2000 demonstrations. The government has always responded to reasonable demands and sought solutions through dialogue.”

As the nation now entering the election phase the government urges everyone to place their demands before the next elected government, he said. “We hope no one will create tension or disrupt the normal environment during this period.”