By A P Abritty :

The Election Commission (EC) has issued comprehensive special circular outlining measures to maintain law and order for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025, scheduled for February 12.

The circular, signed by Deputy Secretary (Election Management-2) of the EC Secretariat Mohammad Manir Hossain today, emphasises the need to ensure a peaceful, fair, free and festive election environment.

It directs all concerned authorities to maintain overall law and order so that political parties and candidates can carry out their activities without hindrance, and voters can cast their ballots peacefully and with ease.

According to the circular, the armed forces have already been deployed in support of the civil administration and will remain deployed throughout the election period.

The government has granted magisterial powers to the military, which will remain in force until February 28.

The EC noted that several coordination meetings have already been held with the heads and representatives of relevant ministries, departments, forces and organisations, and that the newly issued guidelines are a continuation of those efforts.