Free, fair polls between Dec and June 2026
"Whenever you hear a rumour, make sure to find its source. Do not ignore it. Many experienced military strategists are behind these rumors, and funds are poured [into the misinformation campaign]."
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said the next national election would be held between December this year and June 2025, and the government wants it to be the most free, fair, and acceptable election in history.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He also said rumours were spread to destabilise the country and confuse the people, and more misinformation would be spread as the election approached.
"You all know who is behind [the rumours]," he said in his last night's televised address, marking the Independence Day and Eid.
The National Consensus Commission is collecting the political parties' take on the reform proposals, he said.
The goal is to make a list of issues on which the parties agree with each other. Political parties will sign the list which will be the July Charter, he said.
"Our responsibility is to present the entire process transparently before the nation and hold the election once the process is complete," he said.
Regarding the spread of rumours, he said ever since the interim government took office, a misinformation campaign began on social media.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has assured the government that he would support Bangladesh in its fight against misinformation.
Regarding the July uprising, he said, "We must remember that we are in a state of war. Rumours are the biggest weapon of the defeated side.
"Whenever you hear a rumour, make sure to find its source. Do not ignore it. Many experienced military strategists are behind these rumors, and funds are poured [into the misinformation campaign].
"Their main goal is to make the July Uprising fail. We will not let that happen. Our collective unity is making them desperate. They want to break our unity. They are cunning, and you may not even realise when you become their puppet."
He urged the people to make "fugitive forces" lose.
Prof Yunus remembered the martyrs of the Liberation War and July uprising.
PRICES DURING RAMADAN
Major steps have been taken to control the prices of goods and keep electricity uninterrupted, he said, adding that there were reports that the prices had fallen.
Discipline has been restored in the banking sector, and various economic indicators are gradually improving.
He said corruption was the biggest problem. The international community also wants Bangladesh to be free of corruption, as they want to invest here, he said.
The government is working to implement e-services and encourages citizens to send their suggestions on how the authorities can make online services simpler, he said.
During the AL regime, false cases were used as a weapon to suppress dissent, and the interim government has so far recommended withdrawal of 6,295 such cases.
In addition, 413 cases filed under the Cyber Security Act have been withdrawn. This law will be repealed, and a pro-people Cyber Protection Law is being formulated, he said.
The entire process of purchasing airline tickets has been moved online, leading to a reduction in ticket prices by 50 to 75 percent, he said, adding that this benefited expatriates in the middle east.
To make the experience of Hajj better, the interim government developed a mobile app to assist the pilgrims before, during, and after their journey, he said.
The government wants to uphold the rights of women and minority communities, including those who live in the hill tracts, he said.
Referring to the atrocities committed by the autocratic regime, he said, "I want to assure you that those involved in mass murder, those who have indiscriminately killed people, and those already recognised as killers by the world will be brought to justice on this land."
Yunus also spoke extensively about Bangladesh's relations with different countries and the Rohingya crisis.
The UN is preparing to hold a separate session on the Rohingya crisis at the UN General Assembly in September. Malaysia and Finland have stepped forward as co-hosts of the event, he said.
Prof Yunus said former Australian acting prime minister Julie Bishop had agreed to play a key role at the session.
Countries around the world have spontaneously extended their hands of friendship towards the interim government. He said during his visit to the UN, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates, various heads of state, ministers, and global trade leaders expressed sincere interest in supporting Bangladesh.
The UAE previously suspended visas to Bangladeshis. "They have assured us that they will complete all the formalities and open their doors soon."
Bangladesh expressed interest in joining ASEAN as a member. Malaysia has assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN, and the country's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his support regarding the matter, he said.
Malaysia is working sincerely to resolve all the problems related to hiring Bangladesh workers, he added.
Nepal and Bhutan are very eager to provide Bangladesh with hydroelectric power, he said. "If we can bring hydroelectric power from Nepal, our reliance on fossil fuels will decrease."
In light of the country's growing electricity demand, the government emphasises completing the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on time. "The director-general of Rosatom has assured me that the power plant will soon begin trial runs."
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