We applaud Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government’s firm determination to arrange a free, fair and participatory election in the country as soon as possible after bringing necessary reforms in state system. While briefing diplomats of different countries and resident representatives of the United Nations’ agencies in the capital Dhaka, Dr Yunus said the main task of his government is to arrange a fair election as soon as possible.
However, the interim government wants to create a favourable environment by bringing major reforms in judiciary, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and mass media before arranging the general polls. Therefore, the main task of the interim government is now to bring the law and order situation to normalcy.
We think all will have to cooperate with the interim government to reconstruct the country. The armed forces will continue to serve in aid of civil power as long as the situation warrants.
In their efforts to cling on to state power, Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country. Judiciary was broken. Democratic rights were suppressed through a brutal decade-and a-half-long crackdown. Elections were rigged blatantly, while generations of young people grew up without exercising their voting rights.
A new era has begun “as the students impressed upon us their dream of a country where people, regardless of their political, religious or ethnic identity, will be able to fulfil their aspirations and enjoy full freedom of expression, with the government upholding democracy, justice and human rights and freedom of speech.
Main task
of the
interim
government is now to bring the law and order
situation to normalcy
The interim government believes that all their friends and partners in the international community will stand by them and people as they chart a new democratic future.
Now all eyes from around the country are trained on the Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. Therefore, the present government must keep in mind that the public confidence in each step of an electoral process of any election either national or local is very important and critical to the integrity and credibility of the poll.
In this regard, their first responsibility should be to find a way-out to ensure country’s political parties that they are committed to hold free, fair and neutral elections in the country. The interim government has also a big task to ensure participatory and fair national polls. All expect that the present government discharge its duty with honesty and sincerity so the people can keep trust in it.
Country’s eminent personalities, intellectuals, academics and experts should apply their wisdom and knowledge to make political parties understand why they should practise democracy for the betterment of people and the state.
Bangladesh is constitutionally a multi-party democratic republic so the election is the key for continuation of the country’s democracy. It is very important and necessary for the interim government to create a level playing field so that the political parties can participate in the elections without any fear and uncertainty. Political parties should discharge their patriotic duty in cooperating with the interim government in this regard. Country’s people imbued with spirit of the “Anti-Discriminatory Students Movement" and “Mass Uprising” believe the next national election will be in a free, fair and neutral manner.
