Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has called on government officials and employees to start preparing immediately for a credible national election. Speaking at a meeting in Chattogram, he emphasized the need to maintain law and order and recover illegal arms ahead of the polls. Drawing from his experience in the 1996 caretaker government, he noted that good governance takes time but urged that steps now can ensure progress. He also stressed that legally held weapons should be secured during the election period.