EC Sanaullah says seizing illegal weapons is crucial before the elections

Ahead of the forthcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, former Election Commissioner Brigadier (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah has emphasised the urgent need to recover illegal firearms from circulation.

Speaking at a coordination meeting with law enforcement officials at the Chattogram Circuit House on Tuesday morning (6 January), EC Sanaullah stressed that the retrieval of such weapons is vital to ensure that they are not misused during the election period.

“Before the elections, it is absolutely essential to prevent the use of any illicit weapons,” he said. “Efforts must be intensified to recover arms and ammunition that remain unaccounted for, so that criminals cannot exploit them to commit offences.”

The EC noted that a significant proportion of firearms looted from police stations during the political unrest following the July 2024 public uprising have yet to be recovered. Specifically, around 15 per cent of the looted weapons and 30 per cent of the ammunition remain missing. He confirmed that authorities are actively pursuing their recovery.

Brigadier Sanaullah also highlighted security concerns regarding the Rohingya camps. He called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that all camps are properly sealed and that surveillance along land borders and maritime routes is strengthened. This, he explained, is necessary to prevent any potential misuse of weapons by criminal elements.

“The upcoming parliamentary election is of paramount importance,” the former commissioner warned. “Failure to conduct it properly will have consequences for the entire country.”

The looting of firearms occurred in the aftermath of the August 5, 2024, mass uprising, which led to the overthrow of the authoritarian Awami League government. During this period, numerous police stations, outposts, and police units were attacked, vandalised, and set on fire. In total, 5,753 firearms were reported stolen from various installations.

Summary of Looted Firearms Post-Uprising (August 2024)

EC Sanaullah urged that swift action is taken to retrieve these weapons to maintain law and order and ensure a free, fair, and safe electoral process.