Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the next general elections would be held in the first half of April next year and urged the countrymen to vote for only those who are most committed to building a “New Bangladesh.”
He called on voters to start engaging in discussions right now for selecting the best candidates and put an end to the entrenching practices of party-backed terrorism, corruption, extortions, and politicization.
The interim government head made the remarks during an address to the nation on the eve of holy Eid-ul-Azha.
The next general elections would see familiar political parties and poll symbols but the voters have to seek out those candidates who will not undermine the country’s sovereignty for winning foreign favours, and avoid all forms of anti-people activities, said Prof Yunus in the televised address.
The Nobel Laureate also announced that by next Eid, visible progress would be seen on the areas of state reform, and justice for Awami League criminals, as he reiterated fair elections, state reforms, and trials as the three major agenda for his interim administration.
Adequate reform measures are being implemented to ensure the next elections do not cause another bout of mass sufferings for general people, Prof Yunus said as he noted that faulty elections were behind all the past malaise.
It was the faulty election system that gave rise to the Awami League autocratic regime, he recalled.
To this end, people must work on themselves to ensure they pick the right candidate. People has to extract pledges from the vote seekers that political violence, terrorism, and corruption would end for good.
Aspiring politicians must also pledge to implement, without any cuts, the agreed upon state reform measures in the first parliamentary session, and the voters must secure pledges from candidates in this regard.
Prof Yunus also commended political parties for supporting the interim government thus far, and for pledging to do so in the future.
The chief adviser also lauded the patience, and politeness politicians have shown in their dealings with the National Consensus Commission for reaching a consensus on the state reform measures. The Commission is a unique achievement in the world, he noted.
He also said that next month, the Commission would announce the July Charter, a blueprint for state reform measures and a compilation of anti-fascist movements against Awami League.
The chief adviser began his speech with greetings for the countrymen on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. People must avoid all kinds of greed, spite, jealousy, and selfishness for rebuilding the nation on this holy day, as otherwise it would become a ceremonial event, he added.
He also urged people to maintain hygiene, and care for the poor.
Then he went on to detail the achievements of the government over the last 10 months.
In conclusion, the chief adviser urged the people to remain united against ousted Awami League forces and their foreign allies. The country continues to remain in a “state of war,” he said urging the countrymen to build strong national unity to repel attacks on the country’s sovereignty.
