Calling their duty in the upcoming election “historically significant,” Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged the district superintendents of police to take on the responsibility as a challenge and play a necessary role in organising a fair and acceptable election.

He made the call at a meeting with the new police officials appointed in 64 districts at the chief advisor's office in Dhaka’s Tejgaon on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Chief Advisor’s Office.

The chief advisor said the upcoming election was an uncommon one achieved in exchange for the sacrifices of the martyrs in the July Uprising.

He said, “Through the mass uprising, we dreamed of a new Bangladesh. The upcoming election will move us towards translating that dream into reality.”

He also said, the referendum will be held at the same time as the general election.

“The new foundation we’ll get through the referendum will become the basis for creating the future of Bangladesh and will propel the nation for a century.”

The chief advisor said that many delegations and election observers from abroad will come to monitor the upcoming elections. The police superintendents should work with the aim to present this election as a good example to the whole world.

Yunus said everyone had experienced the previous elections in Bangladesh.

“Some called them farcical while some called them forged elections or a joke. We need to get away from it and set a new bar or standard,” he said.

Bringing about that change is the biggest responsibility of the police force, Yunus added.

The chief advisor stressed the need for the officers being active and creative to make the upcoming election fair and proper. He said, “Everything can’t be put on paper. While performing your duties, you should think about how the task can be done better.”

He mentioned that there could be competitions held among police personnel at the district or divisional level to improve the quality of their work and increase their enjoyment of their duties. In that case, they could be given awards, he suggested.