Gono Forum calls for reforms before elections

A Gono Forum delegation, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, held talks with Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Saturday. 

Following the dialogue, Mizanur Rahman, member secretary of the Gono Forum’s Coordinating Committee, briefed journalists, stating that the discussion covered several key issues including price control, law and order restoration, and electoral system reforms. He added that the government responded positively to their suggestions.

The talks with Gono Forum marked the beginning of a series of dialogues scheduled for the day. 

The Chief Adviser is engaging in back-to-back discussions with political parties at Jamuna, starting with Gono Forum at 3:00pm. Later in the day, there were dialogues with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), followed by discussions with the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance, the 12-Party Alliance, Jatiya Mukti Council, Labour Party, and Bangladesh National Party (BJP). Previously, on October 5, Dr Yunus had met with five parties and three alliances, including the BNP.

During Saturday's dialogue, Mustafa Mohsin Montu, chairman of Gono Forum’s Coordinating Committee, emphasised the importance of market regulation, saying, "The syndicates must be broken." He also warned that "fallen dictatorships and their foreign agents" were attempting to destabilize Bangladesh, and called for national unity to overcome these challenges.

Montu iterated Gono Forum's demand for free and fair elections, stating, "Everyone must agree to move the country forward. This government belongs to the people, and for the sake of protecting it, we need to ensure transparent elections in the future."

He also expressed Gono Forum's full support for the government, saying, "The Chief Adviser can seek our assistance on any matter. We will offer suggestions as needed, and he assured us that the government’s door remains open to the public."

On electoral reforms, Montu stressed the need for a neutral and effective Election Commission, suggesting that a search committee or similar body be formed to ensure qualified individuals are appointed. "We must avoid the problems we've faced in the past," he added.

When asked about a potential election roadmap, Montu clarified, "We didn’t discuss specific dates. Our focus is on reforms that will enable prompt elections."

Regarding constitutional amendments, Montu indicated that discussions on this issue would take place in the coming days, with proposals submitted in writing.

The nine-member Gono Forum delegation included Mustafa Mohsin Montu, co-chairman SM Altaf Hossain, Subrata Chowdhury, member secretary Mizanur Rahman, and members AKM Jaglul Haider Afrik, Mohiuddin Abdul Quader, Moshtaq Ahmed, and Suraiya Begum.