Dhaka, Jan 14 (V7N) — Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that the national elections and referendum will be held on February 12 as scheduled, asserting that there will be no change in the date under any circumstances.

He said the interim government will ensure equal opportunities, impartial administration and complete neutrality for all political parties during the election process.

The Chief Adviser made these remarks during a courtesy call by two former senior US diplomats—Albert Gombis and Morse Tan— at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Wednesday (January 14).

Dr. Yunus said that widespread fake news and deliberate misinformation are being spread to create confusion around the elections. However, he stressed that the interim government remains steadfast in its commitment to holding the elections on February 12 and handing over power to a democratically elected government after the results are announced.

“No matter what anyone says, the election will be held on February 12—not a day before, not a day after,” the Chief Adviser said, adding that the vote would be free, fair, peaceful and held in a festive atmosphere.

During the hour-long meeting, the Chief Adviser and the visiting diplomats discussed a wide range of issues, including the upcoming elections, the July Revolution and its aftermath, the rise of youth protesters, the July Charter and referendum, the spread of fake news and disinformation, the Rohingya crisis, and the prospects of truth and reconciliation in post-July Bangladesh.

Dr. Yunus said the interim government is campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum, noting that the July Charter, once approved by the people, would usher in a new era of democratic governance and eliminate the possibility of future dictatorship.

He alleged that supporters of the former authoritarian regime are actively spreading disinformation to undermine the electoral process. However, he noted that people are becoming increasingly vigilant and are learning to identify AI-generated fake videos.

Former US Undersecretary Albert Gombis agreed that fake news has become “one of the main enemies of democracy” worldwide and emphasized the need for stronger global efforts to counter it.

Both diplomats praised the Chief Adviser’s role in governing the country over the past year and a half and raised the question of whether a truth and reconciliation initiative, similar to post-apartheid South Africa, could be pursued in Bangladesh.

In response, Dr. Yunus said that as a close associate of the late Nelson Mandela, he had closely followed South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process. However, he said such an initiative is not possible in Bangladesh at this time due to the continued denial of wrongdoing by the former regime.

“Truth and reconciliation can only begin when there is admission of guilt, repentance and remorse,” he said, adding that instead, the former regime continues to deny responsibility for the brutal killings of youth during the July uprising, despite overwhelming evidence.

SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamia Morshed was also present at the meeting.

END/SMA/AJ