Gano Forum has called for the 13th National Parliamentary Election to be held promptly after state reforms are completed

TDS Desk

Gano Forum has called for the 13th National Parliamentary Election to be held promptly after state reforms are completed.

Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Chairman of the party’s coordination committee, made this statement on Saturday following a dialogue with Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.

During the discussion, Gano Forum’s Emeritus President Dr Kamal Hossain addressed matters concerning the constitution, the judiciary, and law enforcement.

Montu emphasized the urgency of addressing market issues, stressing the need to dismantle monopolistic syndicates.

Montu said: “Fallen dictators and their foreign agents are in the process of destroying Bangladesh.” To prevent this, Montu called for national unity to save the country.

Reaffirming Gano Forum’s desire for free and fair elections, he added: “We must all work together to advance the nation. This government is for the people, and to protect it, we must ensure future elections are fair and transparent.”

Montu further assured that Gano Forum would fully support the government. “The Chief Adviser has said the doors are open for the people, and we will assist the government in any way needed. We will offer advice based on what we perceive is best for the people,” he added.

Regarding the country’s economic struggles, Montu insisted on recovering the billions of laundered funds, calling for unity to address the economic crisis.

He urged a shift from partisan to national consensus for the country’s progress.

Montu also spoke on the need for an impartial and transparent election commission, suggesting that a search committee or other mechanisms are necessary to ensure qualified appointments, so that past problems do not recur.

When asked if a roadmap for the election was discussed, Montu said: “We did not specify a date but requested that the election be held as soon as reforms are completed. Otherwise, it will be the same story as before – promises before the election, betrayal after.”

He added: “We want an Election Commission that ensures free and fair elections.”

Montu said that Gano Forum would submit written proposals on constitutional amendments in the coming days.

On the issue of canceling eight national days, Montu noted that only national days should be observed.

Mizanur Rahman, the Secretary of the Gano Forum coordination committee, described the dialogue as fruitful, mentioning that proposals had been made on issues including electoral reform, controlling commodity prices, restoring law and order, and restructuring an independent Election Commission.

Rahman added that the government responded positively and that a written proposal would soon be submitted to the Chief Adviser’s office.