A delegation from the United States Embassy visited Khulna on Tuesday to assess the preparedness of law enforcement agencies and review security arrangements ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election.
US Embassy representative Stuart Sullivan, accompanied by Foreign Service National Investigator S M Shibli Saifullah, met with Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan at the KMP headquarters, according to a press release issued by the police on Tuesday evening.
The visit forms part of a broader evaluation of law enforcement readiness, with prior stops including Chattogram, Sylhet and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.
During the meeting, Sullivan enquired about police preparedness for the polls and sought details on any potential risks of election-related violence. The KMP Commissioner reported that no incidents had been recorded in the metropolitan area so far and expressed confidence that the February 12 vote would proceed in a peaceful environment.
Commissioner Hasan said that, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters, adequate personnel have been deployed at all polling centres. Mobile patrol units and reserve forces remain on standby to respond to any emergency situations.
Approximately 860 members of the Army, Navy and Air Force have also been deployed within the KMP jurisdiction. The commissioner said coordinated efforts between law enforcement and the armed forces aim to ensure a free, fair, and impartial election.
At the conclusion of the visit, the US Embassy delegation presented a goodwill gift to the KMP Commissioner. Additional Police Commissioner (now DIG) Abu Raihan Muhammad Saleh and Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan were also present.
.jpg "Bangladesh records 4 more measles-related deaths in past 24 hours")
