Reza Mahmud and Abu Jakir :
The Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has echoed the Army Chief’s statement that the country’s general elections may be held within 18 months during his meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
Dr. Yunus revealed that once the ongoing reforms are finalized and a voter list is prepared, an election date will be announced. Six specialized commissions have already been established to address crucial areas such as electoral reforms, civil administration, law enforcement, the judiciary, anti-corruption efforts, and constitutional amendments.
The Chief Adviser met with the IMF Managing Director when the later called on him at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Bangladesh has been thrust into the spotlight once again, following recent remarks by the Army Chief, General Waqar-uz-Zaman, and the head of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, regarding the country’s next general election. The election discourse comes after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina’s administration on August 5, with rising expectations for a democratic transition.
On Tuesday, General Waqar-uz-Zaman reaffirmed his support for Dr. Yunus’s interim government in facilitating national elections within the next 18 months. His commitment to ensuring a stable transition was clear in an exclusive interview with Reuters, where he underscored the necessity of reforms before elections. “I will stand by him, no matter what, to ensure he can complete his program,” General Zaman asserted, signaling a solid backing for the government’s reform initiatives.
Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Electoral Reform Commission and Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), expressed optimism about meeting the commission’s deadlines. “Our commission will start work on October 1, and we aim to complete our task within three months,” Majumder told The New Nation. He emphasized that while the commission will provide recommendations, the decision to conduct the elections lies with the government.
Key political figures have reacted to these developments, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressing cautious optimism. BNP Standing Committee Member Salah Uddin Ahmed described the Chief Adviser’s announcement as a “positive gesture” and welcomed the Army Chief’s commitment to holding elections within a reasonable timeframe. “We demanded the election to be held within a logical period, and we hope the government will act accordingly,” he said.
BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also expressed support for the proposed timeline, stressing that public engagement in the reform process is vital. “The sooner the election, the better for the nation,” Alamgir remarked, underscoring the importance of restoring democracy.
While BNP has been vocally pushing for earlier elections, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has taken a more measured stance. Party spokesperson Motiur Rahman Akond noted that the leadership would review the Army Chief’s remarks, but the party remains supportive of the need for reforms before elections take place.
The interim government’s timeline for elections, anticipated within 18 months, has been met with broad approval across the political spectrum. Still, the challenges posed by Bangladesh’s complex political environment remain.
With the reform commissions set to begin their work in October 1, the next few months will be crucial in determining the country’s democratic future. Political parties and civil society alike are watching closely, awaiting concrete steps towards an election that could reshape the nation’s political landscape.
As the nation stands at this crossroads, the upcoming reforms and subsequent elections may mark a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s quest for political stability and democratic governance.