admin
The interim government has committed to holding elections as planned, rejecting any calls for delays, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus confirmed on Thursday.
During a meeting with a delegation from the International Crisis Group, led by Comfort Ero, Yunus reiterated that the government had established two potential timelines for the elections, which would not be altered.
He explained that if political parties request a limited set of reforms, the elections will take place in December. However, if a broader package of reforms is needed, the elections would be held by June of the following year. Yunus firmly stated, “We have no reason to change the election dates,” stressing that the elections will be free and fair.
Regarding the Awami League, Yunus assured that the interim government has no intention of banning the party. However, he indicated that any party leaders implicated in crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, would face trial in Bangladesh’s courts. The possibility of referring certain Awami League leaders to the International Criminal Court in The Hague remains on the table, following a UN fact-finding mission that reported potential crimes committed during the July uprising.
The chief adviser also mentioned the formation of the Consensus Building Commission, which began discussions with political parties on Thursday. The goal is to finalize and sign the July Charter, a policy framework that will guide the interim government’s actions.
The International Crisis Group praised the government’s recent arrest of Rohingya insurgent leader Ataullah, considering it a demonstration of the government’s commitment to peace and stability in the refugee camps. The group also highlighted the importance of increasing dialogue with the Arakan Army, which controls much of Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Yunus shared that Bangladesh is working to mobilize aid for the Rohingya refugees and hopes that the upcoming special UN conference on the Rohingya crisis will draw global attention to the issue.
Comfort Ero expressed the group’s support for Bangladesh in combating misinformation targeting the country and its interim government.
The chief adviser concluded by reiterating Bangladesh’s desire for strong relations with India, although he noted that much of the misinformation campaign against Bangladesh has been propagated by Indian media.
