TDS Desk:

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has received a number of proposals from political parties and sought more recommendations from them for reforming the state and the electoral systems.

Transition of power will be completed after implementing the reform measures based on the political parties’ proposals, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Mahfuz Alam said at a press conference after a series of meetings between Prof Yunus and political parties on Saturday.

Mahfuz said the chief adviser will give a comprehensive outline for reforms and the transition of power will be implicit in that outline.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters that a number of political parties, including Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Bangladesh Jasod, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), held meetings with the chief adviser on Saturday.

Senior leaders from Khelafat Majlish, Nizam-e-Islam, Hefazat-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Andolan and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam attended the meeting with the chief adviser.

The parties made some proposals regarding the reformation of the country at that time. Most of their recommendations were related to the reformation of the electoral system and the Election Commission, said Shafiqul.

The political parties also asked for changing a number of sections of the constitution.

At that time, the chief adviser asked the parties to submit specific proposals for amending the the constitution, said the press secretary.

Shafiqul said the political parties also recommended that a person should not be allowed to stay in the post of prime minister for more than two terms.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting.

Parties pledge full support to interim govt

During the series of meetings with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday, the political parties pledged to fully support the government in overhauling the country’s election system, election commission, and all state organs – including the police, administration, and judiciary – to ensure a credible national election.

Talking to journalists, LDP Chairman Oli Ahmed said they informed the chief adviser that the only way to keep political parties engaged is by providing a clear roadmap or forecast for the elections.

However, Oli stressed that elections should not be conducted before completing essential reforms needed to restore peace, good governance, and democracy.

After the seven Islamic parties’ meeting with the chief adviser, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leader Mamunul Haque told journalists that they have proposed that a person should not stay in the post of prime minister for more than two terms.

Mamunul also said, “We have proposed to reorganise the electoral system of the country. We asked to organise the national elections by carrying out the reforms within a reasonable time.”

He also mentioned that the election should not be delayed unnecessarily.

“Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus agreed with such a proposal of the Islamic parties and said that they are keen to proceed to the elections without delay after the necessary reforms,” said Mamunul.

Asked about his idea of the reasonable time period required for organising polls, Mamunul said, “We have not given any proposal regarding the reasonable time. We have not discussed any specific period of time.”

He said they demanded the withdrawal of nearly 300 cases filed against the leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam. “We have requested that these cases be withdrawn as quickly as possible through executive orders and legal processes.”

Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh presented 13 proposals to the interim government, including the demand for the trial of genocide during the students’ movement by forming a new tribunal.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Charmonai Pir) presented these proposals at the meeting of Chief Adviser.

The Islamic parties at the meeting assured the chief adviser of remaining vigilant and taking necessary steps to prevent any untoward incidents during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations of the Hindu community.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August due to a student-led mass uprising, the advisory council led by Dr Muhammad Yunus took responsibility for the interim government on 8 August.

Earlier, on Thursday, a BNP delegation led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul met with the Chief Adviser.