Dhaka, Apr 12 (V7N) – Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Principal Advisor and Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has emphasized the need to expedite the ongoing reform initiatives to ensure the timely holding of national elections in December.

He made the call during a meeting with two commission members on Saturday afternoon at his official residence, Jamuna. According to a statement from the Principal Advisor's press wing, the meeting was attended by Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, and Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, a commission member. Also present was Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor (Consensus Building).

The discussion centered on the progress made by the reform commissions in areas such as constitutional reform, judicial restructuring, and strengthening local government. Riaz and Majumder briefed the chairman on the commission’s ongoing efforts, including separate dialogues with political parties to build consensus around the proposed reforms.

So far, consultations have been completed with representatives of eight political parties, they informed. Notably, a scheduled discussion with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set for next Thursday, marking a significant development in the effort to unify the country’s political forces.

In addition, the commission is planning several initiatives to gather public opinion and raise awareness on the national reform agenda.

Urging urgency, Dr. Yunus stressed that the reform and consensus-building process must be accelerated to pave the way for free, fair, and inclusive elections later this year.

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