Interim govt enters second phase as focus shifts to national election: Shafiqul
Election Commission making necessary preparations for the national polls
Highlights
- Primary focus will be to conduct the national parliamentary elections
- Plan was to deploy 800,000 law enforcement personnel, but number might be increased
- Advisory Council held 41 meetings and made 315 decisions, of which 247 have been implemented
- Ministry of Education to introduce national award named after Milestone teacher Maherin Chowdhury
Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the chief adviser, Shafiqul Alam, has said the second phase of the interim government has begun.
The primary focus of this phase will be to conduct the national parliamentary elections, while ongoing reforms and judicial proceedings will also continue.
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Speaking at a press conference following the Advisory Council meeting today (7 August), Shafiqul Alam conveyed statements made by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. According to him, the chief adviser opened today's meeting by officially declaring the commencement of the government's second chapter, emphasising that its foremost goal will be to hold the national elections.
Shafiqul Alam stated that preparations are underway to ensure the most free, fair, and impartial election in the country's history. Initially, the plan was to deploy 800,000 law enforcement personnel during the election period. Discussions are now ongoing about increasing this number by an additional 40,000 to 50,000. The armed forces are expected to deploy 60,000 members during the election, and the possibility of increasing that number is also under review.
He also mentioned that the Election Commission is making necessary preparations for the national polls.
The press secretary shared that today's meeting included a review of the government's performance over the past year. From 8 August 2024, to 31 July 2025, the Council of Advisers held 41 meetings and made 315 decisions—of which 247 have been implemented—resulting in a 78.41% implementation rate. Additionally, 56 ordinances have been endorsed during this period.
Shafiqul Alam reported that of all the recommendations presented by the 11 reform commissions 121 were selected by the law adviser. Of them, 16 have already been enacted, 85 are in progress, 10 have been partially implemented, and the remaining 10 are under review for feasibility.
The government has also decided to rename Gazipur Digital University as the University of Frontier Technology of Bangladesh.
The council discussed honouring three deceased staff members of Milestone School—two teachers and one caregiver. The Ministry of Education will introduce a national award named after one of them, teacher Maherin Chowdhury, to honor teachers across the country.
Additionally, a decision was made to draft a policy through the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to support the families of those who died in the July mass protests.
During the meeting, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin was commended for initiating discussions with the United States to reduce retaliatory tariffs to 20%, and Cultural Affair Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was congratulated for successfully organising the 36 July commemorations.
It was also mentioned that, moving forward, the Advisory Council may hold monthly meetings at the Secretariat.
