Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has urged officers to maintain strict professionalism and political neutrality ahead of the next national election, telling colleagues not to be unsettled by insults or online abuse directed at the force.
The critics, he said, are “our children’s age” and “will one day realize their error and feel ashamed,” according to multiple participants of an internal briefing who spoke to The Voice.
The remarks came at an “Officers’ Address” on Tuesday morning at Dhaka Cantonment, where senior commanders attended in person and officers from all cantonments and UN missions joined virtually.
He told the officers to preserve the chain of command and keep a “professional distance” with the public while working to reduce unnecessary frictions built up during an unusually prolonged period of deployment.
Sources present said the army chief spoke for about 38 minutes and then took questions for roughly an hour. ISPR did not issue a formal readout; an official told The Voice the meeting was an internal matter.
‘Professional on the ground, apolitical in conduct’
General Waker framed the army’s role in the run-up to elections as support to the government to ensure a free, fair and impartial vote, stressing that soldiers must “show professionalism on deployment” and avoid any retaliation or “actions taken in anger.”
He reminded officers that no member of the army may engage in political activity and revealed that an allegation of political affiliation against one soldier was under investigation; disciplinary action would follow if proved.
A separate complaint involving alleged violence against a woman by an officer is also being probed, he said, adding that the army would not tolerate moral misconduct—but would also not permit “trial by social media.”
Commanders, he cautioned, should coach their formations early so subordinates do not drift into wrongdoing: “Training and supervision up front cost less than losing an officer after the fact.”
Curbing misinformation and ‘trial by timeline’
General Waker warned against disinformation targeting the army on social media and urged officers not to be provoked by fabricated claims or orchestrated smear campaigns.
Misinformation should be documented and, when appropriate, addressed through legal channels rather than impulsive responses online, he said. Participants told The Voice the chief emphasized that records were being kept and that actions would be considered at the “appropriate time.”
In aid to the civil power—without casualties
Reiterating the doctrine that the armed forces may be called in aid to the civil power, the chief instructed units to take extra precautions so that questioning or crowd-control situations do not lead to injuries or loss of life. Bangladesh’s armed forces have long supported civilian authorities in maintaining public order under that framework. (Bangladesh Army)
Long deployments and the election backdrop
The briefing acknowledged that troops have been on the streets for longer stretches than usual, straining unit morale and community relations. Officers were asked to rebuild rapport with local communities while guarding against perceptions of partisanship.
General Waker took office as army chief in June 2024 for a three-year term, succeeding General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed. In September 2024, he publicly endorsed the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and backed a plan to hold elections within 18 months, arguing that cleaning up politicization in state institutions was a prerequisite for credible polls. (Source: Reuters)
Rights organizations have, in that same period, documented serious abuses and political violence amid the country’s prolonged turbulence. Supporters and critics alike say the stakes around the next vote are high and the army’s conduct—non-partisan, restrained and disciplined—will help set the tone.
What ISPR says—and what it didn’t
The Inter-Services Public Relations directorate (ISPR) serves as the armed forces’ public information arm, coordinating official releases and media engagement. It did not distribute a handout on Tuesday’s talk.
