Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Saturday pledged to hold the next general elections within a justified timeframe.
“The interim government will not waste unnecessary time in holding the next general elections,” said a source quoting the Chief Adviser as saying while holding series of meetings with the top leaders of different political parties at his official residence Jamuna.
The Chief Adviser also urged the Islamist parties to remain alert so that none can create any unrest during the upcoming Durga Puja.
After the political changeover, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which remains out of office since 2007, has been urging the interim government to hold talks with the political parties within the quickest possible time to assess the aspiration of the people.
Dr Yunus, who assumed office on August 8 after the fall of Sheikh Hasina led government, on Thursday urged the political parties for placing proposals to bring various reforms before holding the next general elections.
As part of that move, Dr Yunus sat with the parties to exchange views.
Attending the meeting, top leaders of different political parties recommended constitutional reforms limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister to a maximum two terms and holding the next general elections within a justified timeframe.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters that the Chief Adviser wanted to know the demands of the political parties.
“The Chief Adviser also seeks opinions from the political parties whether the constitution would be rewritten or amended,” he said.
Leaders of Islamist parties suggested constitutional reforms limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister to maximum two terms.
They also recommended that the government should hold the next general elections after bringing the necessary reform within justified time.
Parties and organisations including Jatiya Party, Gonoforum, Liberal Democratic Party, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) led 12-Party Alliance, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Ambia), Hefazat-e-Islam, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolon, Khelafat Andolon, Jamiat Ulama-e Islam and Nizam-e-Islam attended the meeting that started at about 3:00pm.
Emerging from the meeting, JP secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu told reporters that they recommended constitutional reforms limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister to a maximum two terms.
The JP also proposed repealing the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
Khelafat Majlish secretary general Mamunul Huq told reporters that they proposed that one person should not hold the post of the Prime Minister for more than twice.
“We have also requested the Chief Adviser to hold the next general elections after bringing reforms within a logical timeframe,” he said, urging the government not to spend more time in holding the polls.
Emerging from the meeting, Oli told reporters that elections should not be held without reforms.
“Reforms must be completed before holding the polls,” he said.
Urging the government to take stern action against corrupt people, he said investigation into the corruption has not been started yet.
“The problem will not be solved by transferring one official from place to another. Those who are real enemies to the people must be sent to jail otherwise people would not sleep in peace,” he said.
The parties also demanded the reform of the Election Commission to expedite the electoral process.
They also suggested the amendment of various controversial laws including the Special Powers Act and Digital Security Act.
