 "Parties claim Yunus will announce Bangladesh election dates in few days but Election Commission raises alarm")
As uncertainties continue to rock Bangladesh, political parties believe that the country’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will announce a date for the next parliamentary elections within four or five days. According to The Dhaka Tribune, the assertion first came from Jamal Haider, chairman of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction), following a 14-party meeting with Yunus on Saturday afternoon.
Haider told local reporters that the chief adviser had categorically stated that he would announce the election date within the next four to five days. “This was the most fruitful part of the discussion,” he said. “The government has understood that elections are the only way to resolve the anarchy in the country.”
“There can be no greater message of joy than this (announcement of the election date). Elections will bring an end to the anarchy. Many problems will be solved through elections," the Jatiya Party leader added.
Political leaders slam the Yunus regime
While speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran told reporters that he informed the chief adviser that the government had “failed miserably” in maintaining law and order. “The main problem in the country is the deterioration of law and order,” he said. “What other operation will restore the situation?”
Amid criticism, Yunus warned that the corrupt forces are trying to sabotage the election process by creating chaos. He went on to call on all anti-fascist forces to remain united to resist these attempts. “If all the forces of the uprising do not come together to hold a fair election, we will lose this great opportunity,” said the chief adviser during the exchange of views with top political leaders at the State Guest House Jamuna, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
Yunus went on to express hope that all political parties would cooperate in organising fair elections. As per the report, the meeting began at around 5 pm (local time). At the start of the meeting, a minute of silence and prayers were observed in memory of those who died in the plane crash at Milestone School and College.
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View AllBangladesh CEC delivers warning
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin warned that the entire nation would have to bear the consequences if the upcoming 13th national election fails, calling it a major challenge for all. The remarks from the Bangladeshi CEC came while he was addressing a views-exchange meeting as the chief guest held at the conference room of the Khulna Circuit House on Saturday afternoon, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
“This election is a challenge for all of us,” the CEC said. “Through it, Bangladesh will move towards genuine democracy. Therefore, if we fail in this challenge, the whole nation will have to pay the price. There will be many obstacles and limitations, but we must gift the nation a proper and fair election," he added.
The CEC also maintained that until the Constitution of Bangladesh is amended, the elections in the country would be held in the same manner as it has been in the past. CEC emphasised that conducting a fair election involves numerous challenges. “We are facing new and evolving challenges. The biggest challenge is public trust. It is essential to restore people’s confidence in the Election Commission and the electoral process,” he said.
“The second challenge is bringing voters back to the polling centres. Many have lost interest due to not being able to vote in the past, so encouraging voter turnout is a major challenge.”
“Until the constitution is amended, elections will be held in the same manner as in previous years.” He mentioned that the election schedule will be announced two months before the election, at which time details such as the date and nomination procedures will be made public, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
It is pertinent to note that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party has been banned from contesting in polls.
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