Our sole responsibility is not just to hold elections: Adviser Nahid
"Various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms, and elections will be held after these reforms are completed," he said
The interim government is not a caretaker government but a revolutionary one and therefore, its responsibility is more than just holding elections, Adviser Md Nahid Islam said today (18 November).
"Various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms, and elections will be held after these reforms are completed," said the adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology during a meeting with Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Louis Franceschi at the ministry office in Dhaka.
The advisor said the judicial process for the massacre during the July-August uprising is ongoing, and the government requires the assistance of the Commonwealth to ensure an impartial trial. Furthermore, he called for the support of Commonwealth nations in building a new Bangladesh.
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Nahid mentioned that the interim government has received and continues to receive support from around the world.
Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Luis Franceschi stated that Commonwealth countries will continue to stand by Bangladesh.
Franceschi praised the interim government's efforts towards democratic reforms and assured that the Commonwealth would support the ongoing reform initiatives, including electoral process reforms, in every possible way. He emphasised the Commonwealth's commitment to working with the interim government to build an inclusive, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
Franceschi also mentioned that the Commonwealth is always by Bangladesh's side and is keen to work with the country in areas such as education, information technology, media, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Adviser Nahid reiterated that the interim government is working for the transition of the country from an authoritarian or non-democratic regime to a democratic one. He stressed the importance of support from Commonwealth countries in this regard and remarked that the interim government is ready to take any action that serves the national interest.
Meanwhile, in a national address yesterday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus urged everyone to express their views on the election and reforms, while asking for patience to allow the interim government to complete necessary changes before holding polls to transfer power to an elected government.
Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, two key coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, have also called for reforms before holding the national election.
Speaking to reporters today, Hasnat said the July-August mass uprising was not only to re-establish people's right to vote but also to demand reforms in the government.
Earlier on 9 November, Sarjis said two thousand people did not sacrifice their lives in the July-August mass uprising solely for an election.
