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Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered the army to aid civil administration to deal with broad based blockade of cities by a 14-party opposition led by the Awami League but also "to avert any unwarranted situation on the eve of the coming general election."
Ahmed's order to deploy the Army met with strong opposition even within his caretaker government with many of the Council of Advisers making public their views. According to several Advisers, they are unanimous in their opposition and claim Ahmed did not heed their advice. Many say that the confidence built assiduously in the last few weeks after outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, violating Constitution principles, appointed Ahmed as the caretaker with the opposition is now completely destroyed with the Army deployment.
However, a Home Ministry circular said that the deployment which "has been completed at all district headquarters" over the weekend is "to protect public life and property, keep economic activity running, recover illegal weapons and curb terrorist acts." An army spokesman said that the troops now control key installations in the capital and district headquarters and the Navy has control over coastal districts while air force personnel control the airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Jessore.
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Following the deployment of the Army, who appeared to be battle ready, and a Dhaka police prohibitory order around the President's house banning congregation, procession, and demonstration, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina suspended the blockade to Ahmed's house. Ostensibly, this move was to prevent unnecessary violence and civilian death. Truckloads of troops were patrolling Dhaka streets and other towns across Bangladesh. Twice before, Ahmed had wanted a deployment of the Army but backed off after the Advisers had staunchly resisted the idea. It is not clear why he decided to go through with it this time when there is unified opposition to the idea or what necessitated such show of force.
Opposition parties have objected to the presence of two controversial figures in the Election Commission and a bogus voter list that has now been independent verified to contain large numbers of bogus voters. After this show of force, it is unclear if Ahmed is planning to still continue with the package he had offered to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections on January 23. The opposition coalition said that this deployment was "unnecessary" and that the people "will not support it."
Meanwhile, the opposition maintains that they cannot participate in the elections on that date with these election commissioners. They want the Election Commission reconstituted, voter list verified and pruned, and a new date set.
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