[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Elections without reforms may lead to dictatorship again: Badiul Alam

The movement was not merely intended to topple Sheikh Hasina; rather it was for changing the dictatorial system and reforms.

en.prothomalo.com

Elections without reforms may lead to dictatorship again: Badiul Alam
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 01 Mar 2025, 15: 55

Shujan holds a human chain at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on 1 March, 2025.Prothom Alo

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar has laid emphasis on carrying out reforms prior to elections, saying that an election without proper reforms may lead to a reemergence of dictatorship.

He made the statement while addressing a human chain at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Saturday, organised by the civil society platform.

He clarified that the movement was not merely intended to topple Sheikh Hasina; rather it was for changing the dictatorial system and reforming its systems, processes, and institutions. “The dictatorial system had turned Sheikh Hasina into a monster.”

The Shujan secretary further explained that Sheikh Hasina did not emerge as an autocrat out of nowhere. She became it through a systematic process.

“This system needs to be reformed. For a free and fair election, the political sphere needs cleansing. Otherwise, dictatorship will emerge again. Let no ugly person enter this beautiful building of Louis Kahn.” he cautioned.

No foreign aid at Shujan

Addressing allegations that Sujan received funding from the US government to strengthen the political situation in Bangladesh, Badiul Alam dismissed the claims as baseless.

“This is completely false. Sujan is not a registered organisation and therefore cannot receive any foreign aid. It operates with assistance from various individuals," he said.

He described the information on US funding as ‘deep fake news,’ saying, “It does not have minimum substance. The dictator's allies are spreading this disinformation to create controversy.”​

 

[Saif]

Holding polls this year may be difficult

National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam said the interim government has been unable to fully ensure public safety, and holding a general election this year will be difficult.

www.thedailystar.net

Holding polls this year may be difficult
Says Nahid citing security concerns

National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam said the interim government has been unable to fully ensure public safety, and holding a general election this year will be difficult.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last August in the wake of mass student-led protests. The interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, said this month that the election could be held by the end of 2025.

"In the past seven months, we all expected the policing system, law and order to be restored through short-term reforms. It has happened to an extent, but not up to our expectations," said Nahid.

"In the current law and order situation and policing system, I don't think it is possible to hold a national election," the 26-year-old said in his first interview as NCP head at his government-provided villa in Dhaka.

Nahid, who was until recently an adviser to the interim government, is the first politician of significance to cast doubt on Yunus' timeframe for an election.

Political analysts believe his youth-led party could significantly reshape national politics, dominated for decades by Hasina's Awami League party and her rival, former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP.

Those parties have demanded early elections, arguing that power should be returned to a democratically elected government.

Nahid said the NCP, which was formed just last week, would be ready for the polls whenever they are held.

However, he added that before elections can be held, it would be crucial to reach a consensus on the so-called "Proclamation of the July Revolution" -- a charter that the interim government plans to prepare in consultations with political parties and student activists.

The document is intended to reflect the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and honour the people who died in last year's violence. Student protestors dropped calls for changes to the constitution after the interim government said it would prepare the proclamation.

"If we can reach that consensus within a month, we can call for elections immediately. But if it takes more time, the election should be deferred," he added.

Many affluent people across Bangladesh are helping finance the party, said Nahid, adding that it will soon look to crowdfunding for a new office and creating a fund for the election.​

 

[Saif]

অস্থিরতার কারণে এ বছর নির্বাচন আয়োজন কঠিন হতে পারে: রয়টার্সকে নাহিদ

 

[Saif]

Election possible in December if political parties agree to minor reforms, says Yunus

The next general election could take place within December if political parties agree to hold it with minor reforms, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said. If the reform process is extended, the polls may be delayed by another six months, he added. The interim prime minister discussed the timing

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Election possible in December if political parties agree to minor reforms, says Yunus
bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 06, 2025 23:16
Updated :
Mar 06, 2025 23:16

The next general election could take place within December if political parties agree to hold it with minor reforms, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said.

If the reform process is extended, the polls may be delayed by another six months, he added.

The interim prime minister discussed the timing of the parliamentary election during a meeting with former United States diplomats William B Milam and Jon Danilowicz at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

The talks also covered Bangladesh-US relations, the Rohingya crisis and the impact of dwindling international aid for refugees, efforts to recover large sums of money laundered under the previous administration, and the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC.

Yunus-led interim administration took charge with a pledge to reform the state following the ouster of the Awami League government through mass uprising.

The reform commissions formed by the government have already submitted their recommendations, which are now being discussed with political parties.

“The political parties will sign the July Charter after completing dialogues on the six commissions' recommended reforms. This charter will guide us forward,” the chief advisor said.

He added that the caretaker administration would implement some of the charter’s recommendations while the rest would be carried out by the next elected government.

The chief advisor’s press wing said the meeting with Milam, president of Right to Freedom, and Danilowicz, its executive director, lasted nearly an hour.

Milam served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh in the early 1990s, while Danilowicz was the deputy chief of mission at the US embassies in Dhaka.

Milam praised the interim government’s reform initiatives.

The envoy said the July Uprising had created an opportunity for major reforms and paved the way for true democracy to flourish in Bangladesh.

Danilowicz stressed the importance of presenting positive developments in Bangladesh and countering misinformation and fake news.

Both diplomats discussed plans to expand Right to Freedom’s activities in Bangladesh and expressed the organisation’s interest in supporting the country’s democratic transition.

Yunus appreciated their efforts and the organisation’s work in upholding human rights and democratic values.​

 

[Saif]

Parliamentary polls should come first to hand over power to people: Rizvi

He slammed what he called the government's dilly-dallying attitude toward holding elections, despite providing a clear election timeline.

en.prothomalo.com

Parliamentary polls should come first to hand over power to people: Rizvi
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 07 Mar 2025, 19: 28

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi speaks at a programme in Rajshahi on 7 March, 2025. Prothom Alo

The senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has reiterated that parliamentary elections should be prioritised over local government polls in order to hand over power to the people.

He made the statement while addressing a courtesy meeting and prayer programme for the families of the July uprising martyrs from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj on Friday.

An organisation called ‘We Are BNP Family’ organised the programme on the Shaheed Minar premises of Bhuban Mohan Park in Rajshahi.

“The national parliamentary elections need to be held first, and the local government elections should follow. Reform is an ongoing process. It will continue... so that no form of fascism emerges in the future,” he said. “If a father is not born, how will he have a child? The national parliamentary polls need to be held first to hand over power to the people.”

Questioning the ongoing reform process, Rizvi said, “Those who are now talking about reforms, can you please say how many days are required to carry them out? The police should act according to the law and refrain from entertaining any influential individuals. It must be established that institutions will run as per the law. How many days are required for this?”

He slammed what he called the government's dilly-dallying attitude toward holding elections, despite providing a clear election timeline. “Why this dilly-dallying approach for the election? The government itself specified a month for the election, saying polls might be held in December. Meanwhile, some people are saying – no, it is difficult to hold an election within this timeframe. It is up to the election commission to hold the election, while the government will assist.”

Criticising India’s role, the BNP leader said, “It surprises me when I often notice that India discusses Bangladesh issues during its trips to America… India discusses Bangladesh issues with the US president. I saw in today’s newspaper that India is discussing Bangladesh with the United Kingdom. Why? Isn’t there a government in Bangladesh? Isn’t it an independent country? It has its own flag and national anthem. You are a neighbouring country, a separate independent nation. Why are you so concerned about Bangladesh? Who has given you the responsibility to discuss Bangladesh with other countries?”​

 

[Saif]

US role during 1/11: Prioritising polls over reforms was a ‘great mistake’

Washington made a “great mistake” during Bangladesh’s 2007-08 political crisis by prioritising election timelines over public aspirations and fundamental reforms, said former US diplomat Jon Danilowicz yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

US role during 1/11: Prioritising polls over reforms was a ‘great mistake’
Says former diplomat

Jon Danilowicz

Washington made a "great mistake" during Bangladesh's 2007-08 political crisis by prioritising election timelines over public aspirations and fundamental reforms, said former US diplomat Jon Danilowicz yesterday.

Speaking at a discussion on "Navigating the Dynamics of Bangladesh-US Relations After the Mass Uprising," organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the BIISS Auditorium yesterday, he said the current interim government has taken a more effective approach by fostering national consensus on reform.

Danilowicz, who served as political and economic counsellor at the US embassy in Dhaka from 2007 to 2011, witnessed the military-backed caretaker government's tenure following mass protests against the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

He said the US and other stakeholders focused too heavily on the army's position rather than the demands of the Bangladeshi people.

"I am the first to acknowledge that the United States made great mistakes in the 2007-08 period," he said. "We put too much emphasis on elections and their timeline instead of ensuring lasting political reforms."

The caretaker government had initially pushed for reforms, but once it prioritised holding elections and stepping down, it lost leverage with political parties, he explained. Agreements between the caretaker government and political leaders were made in secret, leaving uncertainty about commitments from figures such as Sheikh Hasina.

"Our perception was that the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina had learned lessons and were committed to reforms," he said. "As history turned out, we were wrong. That miscalculation contributed to the gradual decline, culminating in the summer of 2024."

Danilowicz believes the current interim government, led by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, has learned from past mistakes and is now pursuing genuine reforms. The US supports this agenda while refraining from setting an arbitrary election date.

Asked about Awami League's participation in the next election, he said, "That decision rests solely with the people of Bangladesh."

On accountability, he stressed that elections alone do not ensure it. "The International Crimes Tribunal process and legal mechanisms are also critical in holding individuals accountable."

Former US ambassador William B Milam also spoke at the event, moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.

Milam reaffirmed Washington's commitment to democracy and human rights in Bangladesh, regardless of which party holds power.

He said that while Donald Trump's foreign policy may have had some deviations, the US generally supports democracies, not autocrats.

Milam said his organisation has been working for five years to raise awareness among the American public about Bangladesh's democratic trajectory and secure funding to continue this effort.

Danilowicz highlighted the lack of accountability among Bangladesh's ruling parties as a major political challenge and warned that the country is facing an "information warfare" threat, much of it originating from India.

He urged Washington to engage with Bangladesh independently rather than viewing it solely through the lens of India.​