Second chapter begins, ensuring fair polls now top priority: CA Yunus
In addition to the upcoming election, the chief adviser emphasised two other ongoing priorities -- advancing key reforms and continuing the trials already in progress.
Highlights:
- Reforms, trials to continue alongside focusing on polls
- Govt considering posting of DC, UNO by lottery
- Neutral DC list may be finalised before polls
- 8 lakh law enforcers to be deployed for polls
- Army ready to deploy up to 1 lakh personnel
- Govt to draft new policy to support families of July movement martyrs
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (7 August) said the government has entered the second chapter of its tenure, with the key focus now on ensuring a fair national election.
"Our first chapter ended on 5 August. The second chapter now begins, with the key task being to hold the next national election fairly," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told the media, quoting Yunus after a meeting of the Council of Advisers at the Secretariat.
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In addition to the upcoming election, the chief adviser emphasised two other ongoing priorities – advancing key reforms and continuing the trials already in progress, Shafiqul said.
He added that National Consensus Commission Vice President Ali Riaz is expected to hold a briefing soon to provide updates on the reform agenda and Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Tajul Islam will continue to inform the public about developments related to the ongoing trials.
DCs, UNOs by lottery
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also said the government is considering reshuffle of deputy commissioners (DCs) and upazila executive officers (UNOs) through a lottery system ahead of the national election.
"The idea of posting DCs by lottery came up in the discussion, but a decision is yet to be taken. Certain issues still need to be reviewed," he said.
The posting of DCs usually follows a set of established guidelines. Initially, the ministry prepares a shortlist – or "fit list" – by conducting oral assessments of eligible deputy secretary-level officers to evaluate their suitability for the DC role.
Final appointments are then made based on professional competence, seniority, and other qualifications. A DC serves as the chief administrative officer of a district and typically heads over 300 local committees.
During elections, DCs usually act as returning officers, meaning they are fully responsible for ensuring free and fair polls within their assigned territories. UNOs serve as assistant returning officers under this structure.
A senior ministry official, requesting anonymity, warned that a lottery-based system carries significant risks. "Districts have different operational realities, and placing less experienced officials through random selection could undermine administrative effectiveness."
He added that the ministry may finalise a neutral list of 64 DCs before the election schedule is announced. Only the placement of those approved officers across districts would be determined by lottery.
"A process is also being devised to ensure neutrality in preparing the list," he added.
On Wednesday, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Choudhury announced that police superintendents (SPs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) would be appointed via lottery in the lead-up to the elections.
Army deployment, polls-focused phase begins
The government is in discussion over temporarily withdrawing army troops from the field prior to the formal election schedule. If law and order remains stable, troops will return to barracks and later redeploy once the election timetable is announced.
The armed forces earlier expressed readiness to deploy up to 1 lakh personnel during the election period, though initial discussions centred around 60,000 troops, he said.
"A final decision on numbers is still pending," said Shafiqul Alam.
He added that preparations are underway to ensure a free and fair vote, including plans to deploy 8 lakh law enforcement personnel. Discussions are ongoing to assess whether an additional 40,000–50,000 officers can be mobilised.
Performance review, reform updates
Shafiqul added that the meeting reviewed the government's activities over the past year. The interim government has held 41 meetings since assuming office on 8 August 2024, with 315 decisions taken – 247 of which have been implemented, indicating a 78.41% execution rate.
During this period, 56 ordinances have been issued. The law adviser selected 121 reform proposals from 11 commissions, with 16 already implemented, 85 underway, and 10 partially executed. Another 10 are still under review.
Trials in four cases have begun, while 27 are under investigation and 16 have reached the charge-sheet stage.
The government has also approved renaming Gazipur Digital University as the "University of Frontier Technology of Bangladesh".
The education ministry will introduce a national award in honour of Meherin Chowdhury, one of the teachers who died in the recent Milestone Institute tragedy, the Advisory Council decided.
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will also draft a new policy to support families of those killed during the July uprising.
Diplomatic, cultural, political notes
The government has tasked Trade Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin with engaging the US to negotiate a reduction in reciprocal industrial tariffs to 20%.
The council congratulated Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki for the successful organisation of "36 July", a cultural event commemorating last year's mass uprising.
Future Council meetings will likely be held monthly at the Secretariat, he said.
Hasina's return
Responding to questions about Sheikh Hasina, the press secretary said the interim government wants her to return to Bangladesh and face justice.
"She will receive a fair trial. Investigative reports by Al Jazeera and the BBC show the world what she did. The use of lethal weapons was instructed by her," he said. "The global community is now aware, and the government hopes she will face the court."
Asked whether law and order has deteriorated under the interim administration, he countered: "Compared to previous times, crime and killings have decreased. Some isolated incidents cannot define the entire situation."
He also defended the civil administration. "If the bureaucracy were truly broken, could we have achieved all this? Six floods were managed successfully. Food reserves have risen from 1.8 million to 2.1 million tonnes. Inflation is now below 10%. We've repaid $4 billion in foreign debt. These gains happened because the system is working."
In response to a question about the military's presence despite an active police force, the press secretary said, "Military deployment is standard under interim governments to ensure stability."
