Polls time won't cross June deadline under any circumstances: Asif Nazrul

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has categorically said the election timeline cannot go beyond June under any circumstances, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said today (16 April). 

Following a meeting between the CA and a delegation from the BNP, Nazrul told reporters that elections would be held as soon as possible between December and June.

"We have no desire to be in power without any reason. We have no desire to waste time unnecessarily. We have said that there is no reason to harbour any apprehension."

He said the BNP had asked why there should be further delays if the reforms are eventually implemented. 

"We have explained to them that even if the July Charter is finalised, the necessary legal and policy measures sometimes take time to be adopted."

He also said the people wanted the interim government to deliver justice during its tenure.

"So many lives have been lost: 50,000-60,0000 people have been injured. Justice for them is one of the main demands of the uprising.

"If we leave without ensuring any justice and simply hold an election, how will we answer to the people, or to ourselves? That is why the December to June timeline depends on the reforms, justice process, and several initiatives undertaken by our government."

On BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul's response that the BNP had been unhappy with the discussion today, Nazrul said, "We felt that they understood our explanation. I felt that they were satisfied. They seemed happy to us," he said.