Stay vigilant as there’ll be bid to foil election

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said certain
quarters are making every effort to foil the election and expressed his resolve to have
the polls held as scheduled in early February.
"Those who do not want the interim government to reach the stage of
election will obstruct the process in every possible way," he said during
a meeting with the leaders of seven political parties and one platform at his
official residence, Jamuna.
Leaders of
seven political parties and one platform met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus
at his official residence, Jamuna, in Dhaka yesterday. They discussed the issue
of the upcoming national elections. The chief adviser warned of attempts to
foil the February polls, urging vigilance, unity, and support from political
parties. Photo: CA’S Press Wing
"Some
signs of these are already visible," the chief adviser said, warning,
"more will follow."
"We
have to be more vigilant," he told the leaders.
"They will hinder the very process of shaping Bangladesh's sovereign
identity. Their utmost effort will be to foil the election and create such a
situation that the election cannot be held," CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul
Alam quoted Yunus after the meeting.
The chief
adviser told the leaders that obstacles would be created at every step in
arranging the polls.
"They
will try to sow discord in everyone's minds. We have to stay on the path,
remain calm and united," Yunus said.
Leaders of the AB Party, Ganosamhati Andolan, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP), Nagarok Oikya Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jatiya Gono
Front, and Islamic outfit Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh attended the meeting.
"The
election will be held in the first half of February. We will transfer power to
an elected government," Yunus said.
According
to the press secretary, Yunus said the election is a test of Bangladesh's
ability to stand independently and govern on its own terms.
"We
have to make sure that no country can interfere," Yunus said.
With
everyone's support, the chief adviser hoped that this would be a landmark
election. "This election belongs to all political parties, not to the
interim government. We want your all-out support in arranging it," Yunus
told leaders.
Speaking
to reporters, Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon said
the chief adviser raised concerns about the election at the meeting.
Asked
about his party's demand, he said, "We demanded that the Awami League,
Jatiya Party, and the 14-party alliance all be banned."
Ashraf
described law and order as "out of control". "If the violence
cannot be stopped now, how will it be contained during elections to 300
constituencies?" he asked. He also called for a proportionate
representation system.
Hefazat-e-Islam
Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Azizur Rahman said they had demanded that
the July Charter include the Shapla Square massacre, as well as the arrest of
identified criminals and collaborators of the Awami League government.
Ganosamhati
Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said Yunus had sought advice and
cooperation from political parties regarding the upcoming polls. "We have
proposed forming a committee with representatives from parties in the Consensus
Commission talks to coordinate the electoral environment."
AB Party
Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju highlighted concerns over governance and law
enforcement. "The Chittagong University incident revealed a lack of
coordination between the government and law enforcement agencies. Unless this
is fixed, doubts about the election will persist."
Quoting
the chief adviser, Monju added, "He himself said there is no one in his
team with experience in conducting a neutral election. We recommended
appointing those with such experience, even on a contractual basis. The chief
adviser has said any election is a challenge, and there is no alternative to
facing it together."
LDP
Secretary General Redwan Ahmed urged that the administration must take measures
to remain neutral during the polls.
Meanwhile,
Yunus directed the health ministry officials concerned to send Nurul Haque Nur,
president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, abroad for better treatment. Nur was
injured as security forces beat him up during a clash between supporters of his
party and Jatiya Party on Friday night.
The
directive was given in the presence of Nur's wife, Maria Akhter, party General
Secretary Rashed Khan, and senior joint general secretary Hasan Al Mamun at
Jamuna.
Law
Adviser Asif Nazrul said a one-member committee led by Justice Ali Reza is
being formed to investigate the attack.
















