Election in Bangladesh by June next year, Yunus tells Japan's Taro Aso

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday (28 May) told former Japanese prime minister and Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League President Taro Aso that the country's next national election will be held any time between December and June next year.

"Yunus told Taro Aso that the election will be held between December and June. He has set a six-month time frame and the election will be conducted within that period," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

Briefing reporters after the meeting between the chief adviser and Taro Aso, he also said Professor Yunus will announce a specific date for the national election as soon as all preparations are complete.

Taro Aso, also a former Japanese foreign minister and influential lawmaker, met the chief adviser at the bilateral meeting room of the Imperial Hotel.

Shafiqul said the election window up to June also serves as a roadmap. "Professor Yunus has provided a special cut-off time here. He has also stated unequivocally that he will not remain in power a single day beyond June."

The press secretary said the interim government is not remaining idle and is working actively on multiple fronts.

"A fragile economy has been stabilised. We are now undertaking economic, administrative and legal reforms. Work centred on the Election Commission is progressing steadily," he said.

Regarding political reforms, he said Prof Ali Riaz, vice chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has already outlined areas where political parties agree and where they diverge.

Stating that the Commission will begin its second round of discussions in early June, the Press Secretary said the government hopes political parties will quickly reach a consensus on reforms. "Then, reform efforts will be accelerated by July."

He said Professor Yunus is moving forward with three specific agendas—reform, trial (of fascist elements), and election. "He will announce a specific date for the elections once everything is ready.

In response to a question, Shafiqul said the interim government feels neither instability in its governance nor any crisis with political parties.

"We do not perceive any political instability or governmental uncertainty. The discussions we have held with political parties are part of an ongoing dialogue. Since they are key stakeholders, we have engaged with them, and all parties have expressed confidence in Prof Yunus' leadership," he observed.

Earlier, the chief adviser arrived in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, this afternoon to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Briefly after returning to the hotel, the chief adviser held a meeting with former Japanese prime minister Taro Aso.