Election will strengthen national stability: Army

The Bangladesh Army expects a free, fair, and peaceful national election as outlined by the government, said Lt Gen Md Mainur Rahman, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).

Speaking at a press conference at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday afternoon (November 5), he said the polls are expected to be held within the government’s declared timeframe.

“Through the election, national stability will be further strengthened, law and order will gradually normalise, and the army will return to the barracks,” he added.

Lt Gen Mainur said the army’s primary role during peacetime is to remain prepared for war, but it has been deployed in the field for the past 15 months and may need to stay a bit longer after the polls, which has slightly affected training activities.

“However, the way the army is performing its duties—such a situation has never been seen before in Bangladesh,” he noted.

He also dismissed attempts by vested quarters on social media to question the army’s leadership, terming them “false and fabricated.” “Every member of the army is fully loyal to the Chief of Army Staff and senior leadership. False propaganda doesn’t require separate measures—it can be countered through truth,” he said.