CA firm on Dec-June timeframe for next elections

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to holding the next national election between December this year and June next year, insisting he would not exceed that timeline.

"Prof Yunus is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time. He won't go beyond that," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters outside the state guest house Jamuna, following the chief adviser’s meetings with three major political parties.

Shafiqul said Prof Yunus conveyed this same assurance to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders during a separate meeting at his residence.

In discussions with delegations from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) at Jamuna, they touched on election reforms, the upcoming polls, and the prosecution of crimes linked to the July uprising.

According to Shafiqul, all three parties expressed support for Prof Yunus and his interim government. Regarding media reports of a possible resignation, party representatives and the public, he said, continue to place unwavering trust in Prof Yunus’ leadership to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election.

During the meetings, the BNP called for elections to be held by December. Jamaat-e-Islami, while noting that the government would need time until December to complete its reform agenda, expressed agreement with the proposed timeline.

Both Jamaat and the NCP, however, said the current environment lacked a level playing field and urged reforms within the Election Commission to ensure fairness.

Shafiqul also mentioned that Prof Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, informed participants that work on the July Proclamation was ongoing and would be finalised soon.

Responding to questions, Shafiqul said Prof Yunus reaffirmed that trials related to the July uprising would commence this month and proceed swiftly while respecting due process.

He reiterated that the elections would take place within the December–30 June window, emphasizing that the chief adviser stands by his word. "30 June is a definite deadline. The chief adviser will not extend it," he added.

Prof Yunus is expected to relay this same message to other political parties in meetings scheduled for Sunday.

The meetings, described by Shafiqul as cordial, also saw the NCP press for the holding of local government elections.

Deputy press secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were present at the press briefing.