By A P Abritty ;

Joint force operations will soon be resumed at the field level to boost confidence among the general public, voters, candidates and political parties ahead of the upcoming election scheduled for February 12 next year, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal M Sanaullah said today.

He made the remarks during a press briefing following a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) with the chiefs of the three armed services, along with a review of the overall law and order situation, held at Nirbachon Bhaban in Agargaon.

“We have instructed that joint force operations will resume at the field level from now on. One of the main objectives of the operation is to recover illegal arms and ammunition, arrest terrorists, bring them under the purview of the law, and create an atmosphere of confidence among common people, voters, candidates, and political parties,” the commissioner said.

He added that special importance has been given to area-based checkpoint operations. Instructions have also been issued to conduct special drives in areas where there are reports of a higher presence of illegal arms.

Earlier, four Election Commissioners, the Secretary of the EC Secretariat, and senior officials from the Home Ministry and law enforcement agencies attended the meeting with the chiefs of the three services at Nirbachon Bhaban. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin presided over the meeting.