Dhaka, Dec 17, (V7N) - Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the interim government, has announced that Bangladesh's next national elections are expected to take place between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026. This timeline was revealed in his speech to the nation on the occasion of Victory Day, delivered on Monday. Yunus expressed his commitment to completing necessary reforms for holding the election, emphasizing that he has repeatedly requested the people’s support in this regard. He also pledged to restore the economy and improve the living standards of the people, assuring efforts to stabilize the prices of essential goods during the upcoming Ramadan.

The speech, which took place at 10 AM on the first Victory Day following the student-led uprising, was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television and BTV World.

Dr. Yunus mentioned, "If only a few reforms are carried out to ensure the accuracy of the voter list, elections might be possible by the end of 2025. However, if additional reforms are incorporated following the recommendations of the Election Reform Commission and based on national consensus, the process may take at least six more months. Therefore, we can set the election time frame from late 2025 to the first half of 2026."

Reform Process and National Consensus

Regarding the reform process, Dr. Yunus discussed the steps taken to reach political consensus. The interim government has established six reform commissions, which are expected to submit their final reports soon. Additionally, the government is working towards setting up a "National Consensus Formation Commission" with the heads of these six commissions. This commission will facilitate dialogue with political parties and other stakeholders to identify areas of agreement and provide recommendations for implementation.

The Chief Advisor also highlighted that, besides organizing elections and reforms, the government has been tasked with various other responsibilities, including economic recovery and improving the standard of living. He recalled that the country had inherited a distressed economy from the previous fascist government, with foreign reserves at rock bottom. However, he reassured the nation that foreign reserves have now risen to $19 billion, signaling the economy's recovery.

He also praised the garment workers, who play a key role in the country’s economy, announcing a 9% increase in their annual wages, in consultation with trade unions and employers, considering the inflation situation.

Various Commissions and Economic Measures

After taking office, the interim government established 15 commissions, including the "Enforced Disappearance Commission," to address key issues. The latter has formally submitted the first part of its report, which remains unpublished due to security concerns for the families of the victims. Dr. Yunus described the report as "gripping" and filled with chilling details of human brutality under the previous regime. Many victims who survived the government's wrath still fear speaking out.

In terms of reforms, Dr. Yunus noted that the two most important commissions—the Election System Reform Commission and the Constitution Reform Commission—will play a crucial role in shaping the election preparations and determining the election date.

Young Voter Participation and Overseas Voting

Dr. Yunus expressed a deep desire for young voters to create a tradition of high participation in the upcoming elections. "I urge everyone, especially first-time voters, to aim for 100% voter turnout. If we can achieve this, no future government will dare to take away our voting rights," he said. He also emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote, something that has been promised in the past but never fully realized. He assured that measures are being taken to make this a reality.

Challenges from the Defeated Forces

Addressing the opposition, Dr. Yunus stated that the defeated forces are unwilling to accept their loss. They are attempting, with substantial financial backing, to undermine the people’s uprising both inside and outside the country. These forces still control huge sums of illicit money and have widespread support. However, he urged the nation to stay united, asserting that no external or internal force can deviate the country from its goals.

White Paper on Economic Conditions

Dr. Yunus referred to the white paper on the economic situation, which has shocked the people. He noted that many organizations and individuals, both domestically and internationally, are eagerly studying this report, which has sparked extensive debate in the media, seminars, and discussions.

Efforts to Bring Back Stolen Money

Regarding the return of embezzled funds, Dr. Yunus mentioned that bringing back even a portion of the billions of dollars siphoned off is now one of Bangladesh Bank's top priorities. The interim government is making every effort to recover these assets.

Addressing Inflation and Market Manipulation

While acknowledging that inflation has not yet been fully controlled, Dr. Yunus expressed optimism that it would decrease soon. He mentioned several steps being taken to lower prices, including increasing supply, reducing customs duties on imports, curbing the influence of middlemen, and tightening market oversight. He further addressed the issue of extortion in the transportation sector, noting that while it has not been completely eradicated, efforts are ongoing to eliminate it. "Once these efforts succeed, we expect the prices of goods to decrease further," he stated.

Managing Prices During Ramadan

Dr. Yunus concluded by assuring the public that the government is working to keep the prices of essential goods stable during Ramadan. "We have already spoken with traders, and they have pledged that there will be no shortage of goods in the market. If anyone attempts to create an artificial crisis for extra profit, we will take strong action against them. We are also working to introduce alternative agricultural markets to combat the influence of market syndicates."

END/SMA/RH/