Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that Bangladesh’s next general elections will take place between December this year and June next year, emphasising the interim government’s commitment to holding the most free, fair, and credible elections in the country’s history.
In his address to the nation on the occasion of Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr, Yunus confirmed, “I have previously stated, and I reaffirm, that the elections will be held between December this year and June next year, and they will be the most free, fair, and acceptable elections in Bangladesh’s history.”
He added that the Election Commission (EC) had already begun extensive preparations and expressed hope that political parties would actively engage in the electoral process.
During his nationally broadcast speech, Yunus also highlighted the government’s reform initiatives, announcing that the National Consensus Commission had already begun its work, engaging with 38 political parties and presenting 166 recommendations derived from six previously established reform commissions.
He praised the positive response from political parties regarding the reforms, stating, “It is heartening for the nation that every political party is providing their opinion in favour of reforms.”
The Consensus Commission’s goal, he explained, is to identify areas of agreement among political parties, which will be consolidated into the forthcoming “July Charter.”
Yunus reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to present the entire process transparently to the nation and ensure a credible election.
At the start of his speech, Yunus paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, reflecting on the brutal crackdown by the Pakistani military on March 25, 1971, when unarmed civilians were killed.
“The sacrifices of thousands of martyrs and two lakh oppressed women in the nine-month bloody war gave birth to an independent Bangladesh,” he said, offering his personal homage to those who fought for the nation’s freedom.
He also acknowledged the victims of the July 2024 uprising, recognising those who resisted discrimination, exploitation, and state oppression. “We must seize the opportunity the July mass uprising has given us to realise our dream of a discrimination-free Bangladesh,” he asserted.
Yunus revealed ongoing discussions with Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Starlink, regarding the expansion of high-speed internet in Bangladesh.
“Starlink representatives are preparing to launch operations in Bangladesh, with work underway to finalise a commercial agreement within three months,” he said.
He stressed that affordable, high-speed internet would revolutionise Bangladesh’s digital landscape and ensure uninterrupted access to information for all citizens.
“No future government will be able to restrict people’s access to information by shutting down internet services,” he added.
As part of economic reforms, the interim government has introduced the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025’ to promote young entrepreneurs as catalysts for social and economic progress.
“This policy will create successful entrepreneurs to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Yunus said, emphasising the importance of youth-led initiatives in shaping Bangladesh’s economic future.
Yunus also discussed recent developments regarding the Rohingya refugee crisis, confirming that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had visited the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
“Having agreed to our proposal, the UN General Assembly is preparing to hold a special session on the Rohingya issue in September,” he said, adding that Malaysia and Finland had offered to co-host the conference.
He also invited former Australian Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop to take a leading role in the discussions, a proposal she has accepted.
Referring to a recent report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Yunus highlighted severe human rights violations allegedly committed by the previous government.
“The report reveals that around 1,400 people were killed in the July protests, with 13 percent of the victims being children,” he stated, adding that women on the frontlines had also been subjected to sexual violence.
Welcoming the report’s recommendations, Yunus assured the public that those responsible for mass killings and human rights violations would face justice. “Those who are already recognised by the world as murderers will be tried on the soil of this country,” he said.
With the months leading up to the anticipated elections, Yunus’s address underscored the interim government’s resolve to implement reforms, ensure transparency, and uphold democratic principles amid Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.
