Speaking as the chief guest at the concluding session of the National Consultation Process on the Thematic Issues of the UN Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor (CLEP), Mainul said the election could not be meaningful "if the corrupt can easily get elected and the politics is then perverted into unhindered corruption through abuse of people's trust."

The government has set its principal objective to swiftly carry out necessary reforms in the system before holding a meaningful general election since all of the important institutions for good governance have been weakened systematically under the guise of democracy over the years, the law adviser said.

The meeting was jointly organised by UN Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor and Brac University School of Law at Brac Centre Inn in the capital.

"Our fight against corruption has been undertaken as part of the reform necessary for fair election and good governance," he said, urging all to work together to usher in responsible politics and political leadership.

To strengthen the legal mechanism the interim government has taken the bold step of separating the judiciary from the executive, said the adviser. "As we are going through a very difficult time, we wish to see our efforts toward establishing democracy and the rule of law as part of combined national exercise in building a just and safe society for all."

He said the government is sincerely trying to uphold the constitutional process and make the democratic system work. "Our main efforts are directed towards restoring the legal mechanism...for an integrated social contract as an effective weapon in the fight against poverty."

"Our civil society needs to be more assertive and focused when it comes to issues of good governance," barrister Mainul noted.

The adviser also urged the business community to come forward boldly at this critical time to cooperate in restraining rising prices of essentials.

"Suffering of the general public must be alleviated even if that involves some sacrifice. Everyone has a role to play if we do not want the crisis to go worse," Mainul said.