Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has formally assured political leaders that the next general election's roadmap and date will be announced very soon within the next 4 to 5 days, meaning by this work week.
The CA made the official timeframe public while holding a meeting with leaders of 14 political parties, including members of the 12-party alliance at the State Guest House Jamuna. Political leaders present at the meeting assured the Chief Adviser of their full support in ensuring a credible election.
We, however, believe people's active participation and support is another strong pre-condition for ensuring free, fair and credible polls. For too long our people have been denied from exercising their crucial democratic franchise.
While we thank the CA, we also eagerly wait for a clear public announcement on the roadmap and a specific election date to be announced by this week, and without any delay.
However, apart from the CA, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM NasirUddin said that the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election will be held under the existing constitutional framework unless the constitution is amended. In addition, he said the election date will be announced when the schedule is declared, and it is not possible to specify anything before that.
Understandably, both the CA and CEC have made their statements on the election roadmap and date from respective positions , while there is a strong possibility to misinterpret their separate announcements with conflicting meanings , the least we expect is any form of organised chaos to jeopardise the CA 's announcement by the next weekend.
In full agreement with the CEC's apprehensions, we are moving forward through multiple and ever-evolving challenges. In particular, spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media coupled with misusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the upcoming general elections have appeared as noticeable major threats surrounding the upcoming general polls. Taking these challenges into serious consideration, we as a people must remain attentive and alert.
The CA has already urged all to remain vigilant in this regard by clearly stating that all pro-democracy and anti-fascist political forces in Bangladesh mustunite in resisting attempts by 'defeated fascist forces' which may derail the upcoming general elections through carefully engineered chaos and conspiracy.
Almost a year had passed amid growing tensions, confusions and suspicions over the next general elections; we don't expect more unwarranted uncertainty and ambiguity pushing us on the brink of any political disaster.
In conclusion, we urge all authorities concern to ensure a free, fair, credible and participatory election for a smooth transition, so to restore democracy in Bangladesh.
