Dhaka, Aug 20: Bangladesh’s interim government is “unwavering” in its commitment to hold general elections in February next year, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said, according to media reports on Wednesday.
“The government is moving forward with all preparations for the election,” Nazrul was quoted as saying by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
“The polls will be held in February, and the government’s stance on this remains unwavering,” he said after a meeting at the Cabinet Division on Tuesday.
The law adviser’s comments came amid growing speculation over the elections, following statements by National Citizen Party leaders who dismissed the possibility of polls taking place in February next year without key reforms and the completion of trials initiated by the interim government.
Commenting on the issue, Nazrul said that political parties making statements about the timing of the elections is part of the political process.
“You have always seen this. Traditionally in Bangladesh, such political statements have been made, and the same is happening now. There has not been any major qualitative change in this discourse. Therefore, whatever is said about the timing of the election should be seen as part of the political process,” he said.
However, the responsibility for conducting polls ultimately rests with the government, not any political party, Nazrul added.
“On behalf of the government, we are saying in unequivocal terms that the election will be completed in February,” he said.
Nazrul added that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is a “globally respected figure” and that there is no question of straying from his commitment, with the election to be held as per the announced schedule.
Earlier this month, Yunus said the general elections would be held in February and the Election Commission subsequently announced the polls would be held in the first week of the month.
These would be Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections.
A roadmap for it would be announced within this week, according to Election Commission officials. (PTI)
