A new Bangladesh will emerge through this election: CA Yunus

A new Bangladesh will emerge through the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (4 December).

"A new Bangladesh will be born through this election. This election will open the door to that new Bangladesh. So, for its birth, those of us present here will play the role of midwives. We must ensure the birth takes place smoothly and properly," he said at a meeting with newly appointed police superintendents (SPs) of all districts at the Chief Adviser's Office.

"A new Bangladesh will not descend from the sky on its own. It will be born through our efforts. And the first step of this birth lies in your hands (the SPs)," he added.

The meeting was organised to brief the SPs on their responsibilities during the election period and to provide guidance on maintaining law and order at the field level.

Addressing the SPs, the chief adviser said, "We must understand the significance of this election, its purpose and what we aim to achieve. When we think of elections, memories of past polls come to mind. You have seen those elections – some called them a farce, some fraudulent, some a mockery. These are the labels attached to past elections. We must rise far above that. People must know that change is possible, and that change will come through you."

"International observers will try to point out faults–what was not done right, what could have been better. But this time, they should remember this election as an example and tell the world they have never seen an election like this. They should carry it to other countries as a model. We want to leave behind such an election," he said.

Yunus further said, "This is not an ordinary election held every five years to change a government. This is the election following a mass uprising. Those who were part of that uprising – those of us involved–will work to realise its ideals and dreams through this election. The dreams for which so many sacrificed themselves – we are going to give them a permanent shape."

He continued, "This election is an opportunity to create our building code. The society we want to build – its structural code will be determined now. No matter how big the shock, it should not be shaken. This is the election where that building code will be formed."

"This is not just another five-year election. Another crucial element is the referendum – perhaps the building code itself. We will create that code, which will guide this nation for the next hundred years," he added.

The chief adviser also said the recent posting of SPs was done to avoid any bias, urging them to accept it in the greater interest of the nation.

"Our goal was to ensure no form of bias enters the process. Despite all efforts, bias can creep in if left to individuals. That is why a random selection was done–to keep myself away from it. Those involved in the process wanted to ensure no partiality influenced it," CA Yunus said.