Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday praised the Election Commission for announcing the schedule for the 13th national election and the nationwide referendum, calling it a defining step in Bangladesh’s transition from the turmoil of last year’s mass uprising toward a renewed democratic order.
In a statement issued shortly after the announcement, Yunus said the country’s “democratic journey has crossed an important milestone,” noting that the decision to hold the parliamentary election and the referendum on the July People’s Charter on 12 February marks a consolidation of the new political path forged since the fall of the previous government.
“The election and referendum will strengthen the new path the country has embarked upon following the historic mass uprising, giving primacy to the people’s views and further consolidating the foundation of a new Bangladesh,” he said.
The chief adviser expressed strong confidence in the Election Commission’s ability to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.
“I believe that the Election Commission will discharge its duties independently, impartially and with the utmost professionalism,” he said, as the Commission begins preparations for what is expected to be one of the most complex electoral operations in the country’s recent history.
Yunus assured that the interim administration would extend full support to ensure that both the election and referendum are conducted in a “festive, participatory and completely fair” environment.
The Election Commission has already extended polling hours and is preparing for an unprecedented security deployment, anticipating the challenges of holding two nationwide votes simultaneously.
Appealing to political parties, candidates, media, civil society and the public, Yunus urged all groups to treat the upcoming polls as an opportunity for national unity. “Respect for dissent, a peaceful environment, and democratic behaviour will make our days ahead more stable,” he said.
Bangladesh, he added, now stands “on the threshold of a new future,” with the success of the transition dependent on the conduct and participation of its citizens.
“It is my firm belief that through the active participation and responsible behaviour of all of you, we will succeed in building a modern, just and prosperous state,” Yunus said.
