Election remarks by Asif Nazrul, army chief not official govt stance: Adviser Khalid

The interim government's Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain yesterday (18 October) said that the next parliamentary election will take place only after the government completes the ongoing state reforms that aim to ensure stability in the country.

Talking to reporters in Cox's Bazar town, he said that recent remarks of Bangladesh Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding the tentative election timing were not the government's official statements.

"Until the government makes a specific announcement, the election timeline is not fixed," he said, adding polls will be held after the state reform works, including the electoral process, were completed.

Khalid continued, "A government has fallen. An interim government has been installed to complete the remaining term of that government. The bigger issue is the reform of the state. If elections are held without reforms, the state will remain unstable. That's why the government is deeply involved in reforming the state."

The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on 8 August, three days after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

The interim government is yet to announce a specific outline for the national election as its top priority has been carrying out state reforms since it took office.

According to Bangladesh's constitution, elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of a parliament. In case that does not happen due to a natural disaster, the polls must take place within the next 90 days.

The religious affairs adviser's remarks yesterday came after Asif Nazrul last Thursday night said that the next national election could be held by next year - 2025 - after completing the pre-election preparations, including the formation of a new Election Commission (EC) through a search committee and a flawless voters' list prepared by the new EC.

"I think realistically, holding the election may be possible by next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption by me," he said during a discussion on a TV programme.

In an interview with Reuters on September 24, army chief Gen Waker had backed the country's interim government "come what may" to help it complete key reforms, so that elections could be held within the next 18 months.

Regarding the various political leaders' allegations that advisers have become power-hungry and will not relinquish power, Religious Affairs Adviser Khalid said that this was a "misconception on their part".

"We have no desire for power or greed. We have come here temporarily; we have been entrusted with the responsibility of reforming the country. When our work is done, no one will have to tell us. We will hold the election, transfer power to the elected government and leave," said Khalid, who went to Cox's Bazar yesterday morning on a two-day trip.