Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged the electorate to make the February-12 election day the ‘birthday of a new Bangladesh’, saying that voters themselves will write the history of the country’s glorious future.

“Your vote will write the history of Bangladesh’s glorious future. Let this election day be the birthday of a new Bangladesh. Let us make this festive election a reality and establish it as a memorable day in history,” he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening.

Calling on citizens to take ownership of the country’s future, the Chief Adviser encouraged voters to open the door to building a new Bangladesh through their valuable votes.

“The key to the country is in your hands. Use that key wisely. May Allah guide us on the right path,” Prof Yunus said.

He emphasised that a vote in the referendum is not merely a stamp on a piece of paper, but a decisive choice that will shape the future of the next generation, the security of families and the overall direction of the nation.

“The decisions you make today will influence education, employment, justice, democracy, and every level of governance. This is a moment when your rights and responsibilities as citizens come together,” he said, urging people to actively participate in the referendum. “Cast your vote and secure your future.”

“Let us make this historic moment a success through responsibility, awareness, and peaceful participation,” he added.

Prof Yunus said voters should go to polling stations with hope rather than fear, with responsibility instead of apathy, and with unity rather than division.

Only through a ‘free, fair, and credible’ referendum, he said, can the people of Bangladesh demonstrate their ability to determine their own future.

Once the elections are completed, he said, the elected government will promptly assume office, marking the end of the interim government’s responsibilities.

“We will hand over power to the newly elected government with joy and pride, wish them all-out success, and return to our respective work after bidding farewell,” Prof Yunus said, adding that the interim government is eagerly waiting for this auspicious moment.

He also urged voters to attend polling stations in groups with their families, in a festive atmosphere, and to exercise their right to vote freely and without hesitation.

Prof Yunus said there are moments in the life of every nation that carry far-reaching significance, days when the future direction of the state, the character and stability of democracy and the fate of future generations are decided. “The day after tomorrow is one such moment, when two elections will be held,” he said.

Flawed, violent polls invite destruction, benefit no one: Prof Yunus tells parties

The Chief Adviser said people will elect a new government and simultaneously determine the future structure of the beloved state of Bangladesh through a referendum. The formal election campaign has concluded and that the responsibility of decision-making now rests with people, he added.

Despite differences in opinion and ideology, Prof Yunus said, political parties have exercised restraint, candidates have acted responsibly, and citizens have remained vigilant. “This environment did not emerge overnight - it is the result of a shared sense of responsibility.”

Prof Yunus expressed sincere gratitude to all political parties, contesting candidates, voters, the Election Commission, civil society representatives, media professionals, and members of the law enforcement agencies and administration involved in the electoral process.

“With your collective efforts, we have reached the threshold of holding elections in a hopeful atmosphere,” he said.

A total of 51 political parties are contesting the elections - the highest number in the country’s history, Prof Yunus said. The total number of candidates, including independents, exceeds 2,000, a figure rarely seen in previous national elections.

He appealed to all candidates to rise above personal or party interests and place the greater national interest first, regardless of the outcome. “Just as victory is an essential part of democracy, defeat is also an inseparable reality of democracy.”

Following the elections, Prof Yunus said, all should dedicate themselves to building a new, just, democratic, and inclusive Bangladesh.

“Therefore, I am not merely requesting, but demanding - leave fear behind and bring courage to the polling stations. Your single vote will not only elect a government; it will respond to 17 years of silence, challenge unbridled fascism, reshape the nation, and affirm that this country will never again allow the voices of its youth, women, and struggling people to be silenced,” the Chief Adviser said.

He said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the elections are free, fair, impartial, and peaceful.

A record number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed for the polls, Prof Yunus said.

To maximise the use of technology, CCTV cameras have been installed nationwide on an unprecedented scale. Presiding officers at polling stations are using body-worn cameras, while drones and dog squads have been deployed for enhanced security and surveillance, he said.

“The sole purpose of these measures is to ensure that voters can exercise their right to vote without fear or anxiety and with dignity. Voting rights are not granted at anyone’s discretion; they are fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution,” Prof Yunus said.

He emphasised that ensuring a free, fair, and participatory election is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of every citizen of the state.