Khaleda Zia of the BNP urged the interim government to implement minimal reforms for swift national elections, emphasizing public demand for a democratic process. Despite the interim government’s commitment to reforms, the BNP insists elections should take place by year-end, amidst the election commission’s preparations for December polls amid previous unrest.

On February 27, Khaleda Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), called on the interim government to implement essential reforms to facilitate timely national elections. During a televised address, she emphasized the public’s desire for elections to restore democracy: “People expect a widely accepted election after swift and minimal reforms to restore the country’s democratic system.” Despite her past leadership, Zia has faced legal challenges since her imprisonment in 2018 under the regime of the now-ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Zia urged BNP members to unite and advocate for the party during this “critical period” for the nation. She referenced the impactful movements led by students that led to the departure of the previous regime. Zia also cautioned against schemes that aim to undermine the accomplishments of recent uprisings, declaring, “Friends and allies of the fascists are hatching conspiracies to undermine the achievements of the mass uprising.”

The interim government, under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is committed to implementing a range of reforms, establishing a commission to explore these changes. Yunus had mentioned previously that the timing of the national elections would depend on discussions among political factions. Although a comprehensive reform process might delay the elections to mid-2026, the BNP insists that elections should occur by the end of the current year.

Recently, the Bangladesh election commission announced that it is preparing for national elections targeted for December. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah expressed this commitment during a meeting with diplomats from Western nations. He stated, “We are preparing for the national elections in December,” emphasizing that the focus is on holding national elections instead of local ones.

Since taking office on August 8 of the previous year, Yunus and his interim government are pursuing extensive reforms across multiple sectors, including significant alterations to the 1972 Constitution as part of their broader governance agenda.

In summary, Khaleda Zia’s call for essential reforms to facilitate national elections reflects the ongoing political turbulence in Bangladesh. The interim government’s commitment to reform indicates a potential shift towards restoring democratic processes. However, the timeline for elections remains contentious, as the BNP pushes for elections by the end of the year amid promises of reform from the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com

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