Election journey has started, keep patience: Yunus
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus announced that the "journey for election has started and will not stop."
He, however, emphasised that the timeline for reaching the final station depends on the collective efforts of political parties to lay the tracks.
Yunus also called on people to keep patience and promised them a polls roadmap as soon as electoral reforms are carried out.
He also said that the election may be delayed by a few months to accommodate those reforms.
Yunus said that several reform commissions are working and hoped that they will submit their reports within the scheduled time, between December and January.
He made these remarks during a televised address to the nation marking the first 100 days of his administration on Sunday, November 17.
Yunus said that the government is making progress toward holding elections, with the formation of the Election Commission imminent.
"The election train has started its journey and will not stop. However, as we move forward, much work remains. The train will reach its final station based on how quickly we can lay the tracks—this requires consensus among political parties," he said.
"Once the Election Commission is formed, the responsibility of organising the elections will fall entirely on them," he said, adding that tasks such as voter list updates will begin shortly thereafter.
For the first time, the government is also working to enable expatriate Bangladeshis to vote via postal ballots.
He clarified that the government's responsibilities extend beyond facilitating elections, reiterating their commitment to state reforms as mandated by the people.
Justice for Jul-Aug Massacres, return of Sheikh Hasina demanded
Yunus vowed to prosecute those responsible for the July-August Revolution murders* and to seek the return of Sheikh Hasina from India.
"We will prosecute every crime committed during the last 15 years, including disappearances and murders," he asserted.
A commission investigating disappearances has already received information on 1,600 cases as of October, with the number expected to exceed 3,500.
Acknowledging victims' fear of retaliation, Dr Yunus assured: "No one has the capacity to harm you again. Report your complaints to the commission without hesitation."
International collaboration on justice
The Chief Adviser disclosed initiatives to bring perpetrators of disappearances and massacres to international courts, including discussions with Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court.
Bangladesh has also signed the International Convention against Disappearances to prevent future violations.
"No matter how powerful the accused or their affiliations, justice will prevail," Yunus affirmed.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, recently visited Bangladesh and pledged support in investigating the July-August massacres.
A detailed report from the UN is expected in early December, and their presence in Dhaka will be expanded to bolster human rights protections.
Yunus concluded by expressing empathy for the victims, recounting tragic details unearthed by the commission and pledging unwavering commitment to justice.
