Four reform commissions, out of six formed in the first phase, submitted their respective reports to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday morning. Members of the four commissions went to the Chief Adviser’s office in Tejgaon to hand over their reports. Advisers of the interim government were present. The Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Sarfaraz Hossain, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by TIB’s Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Prof at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz handed over their reports on Wednesday, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told UNB. They (commissions) shared the whole thing with an elaborate description of their findings and recommendations during a meeting after submission of their reports. After the meeting with the Chief Advisers, the media will be briefed at the Foreign Service Academy at 3 pm today (Wednesday). CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said they will share at least the executive summaries of the reports in addition to sharing the key features. Earlier, the interim government expected five out of six reform commissions to submit their reports by January 15 in line with the extended timeframe. Read:CA Dr Yunus to receive 4 reform commissions' reports on Jan 15: Shafiqul Alam

Ganosamhati Andolan’s Chief Coordinator Junaid Saki has said that reforms and elections are intrinsically linked, stating that both are necessary for meaningful political change. "Just as there will be no elections without reforms, many reforms without elections will not be possible," Saki said during a public dialogue titled "Establishing a New Political Settlement for the Democratic Transformation of the State" at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday. Saki stressed that the next election date should be determined through discussions involving all stakeholders and highlighted the need for a power structure rooted in accountability to the people. "The power of the future must be the power of accountability of the people," he said. Drive against polythene: Tk 29 lakh fine realised,  60,000kg polythene seized While Bangladesh has made significant progress over the last 53 years, justice for the country's people remains elusive, Saki bemoaned. He pointed out that the prolonged authoritarian style of governance has hindered progress, calling for structural changes to the 1972 Constitution. "The power has been going on in a fascist manner for so long, it has to be changed." 5 brickfields in Feni fined Tk 58 lakh; 2 others evicted Saki also underscored the importance of uniting people in the fight for democratic transformation and warned against divisive tactics. "Only if there is accountability of power, it is possible to establish the rule of law in society." Urging vigilance, he called on citizens to remain united in ensuring a democratic and just society. Political analysts and activists joined the event.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday highlighted the critical role of unity, reforms and elections in Bangladesh's progress, saying that neither reforms without unity nor elections without reforms can propel the country forward. “None of these three goals can be achieved alone,” he said, describing the correlation among them. In a recorded speech delivered at a national dialogue’s inaugural session in the capital, Dr Yunus thanked the Forum for Bangladesh Studies (FBS) for giving three things - unity, reform and elections’ importance in the dialogue, noting that they need consensus on reforms. The Chief Adviser thinks the minimum age for becoming eligible for a voter should be 17 years. “Young people are interested in the future of the country. To get their opinion about their own future, I think the voting age should be fixed at 17 years,” he said. Dr Yunus said different countries have different ages for a citizen to become a voter and the Electoral Reforms Commission will surely recommend such an age. CA Dr Yunus promises to control prices, fix economy “I may or may not like that age. Suppose I am in favor of making young people vote early. The younger they are, the more interested they are in change—this is my argument. Youth gives them energy. Their deep affinity with information technology gives them this energy,” said the Chief Adviser. Dr Yunus said reform and election preparations will continue simultaneously and mentioned that the work of preparing for the election is mainly the work of the Election Commission. He said the citizens of the country do not have to spend time on this process until they get the election date. But all citizens must participate in the work of reform, Dr Yunus said, adding that those who are voters will participate, along with those who will be voters in the future, should also fully engage themselves in the work of reform. National election likely between late 2025 or early 2026, says CA Dr Yunus “To make the work of reform easier for the citizens, we have formed 15 reform commissions. We will get their reports in January,” Dr Yunus said. The responsibility of each reform commission is to identify the main options and recommend one to the nation. In each case, he said, the recommendations are made by drawing on the opinions of different parties on how the future will be shaped through reforms, making it easier for citizens to decide. Dr Yunus said he does not know what the Election Reform Commission will recommend but if the majority of the people of the country like the age to be recommended by the Commission, he will accept it to reach a consensus. "All the reform commissions will place many recommendations to us. We have now reached a stage that whatever anyone’s opinion, we want to accomplish the reform works by quickly establishing a consensus,” the CA said. He said the interim government wants to make arrangements so that "we can move forward on the path of elections". It’s not true BNP prioritising election over reforms: Fakhrul Dr Yunus said it is the responsibility of all-every citizen, political party, every social, economic, business and religious community-to participate in the reform process with joy. He said the responsibility of each reform commission is to identify the main alternatives and recommend one of those to the nation. Recalling with deep respect all the warriors who took part in the long struggle against fascism, he said, "I especially salute the students who were martyred in the July mass uprising. Our debt to those who were injured, who lost their eyesight and who lost their limbs cannot be repaid. The nation will never forget their inspiration and contribution to the formation of a new Bangladesh." Dr Yunus said the sacrifices of the martyrs in the July uprising will not be meaningful without building a just society. Fascism drove Bangladesh away from all idealistic goals and put the nation into deep darkness, he said. "We are working to bring our beloved Bangladesh back to the path of equality, human dignity and justice," the chief adviser said, stressing the need for building an economy that ensures equality of wealth and opportunity for all. Dr Yunus said there will be such a political and state environment where the identity of minority and majority will be irrelevant. "We all have one identity-I am a citizen of Bangladesh and the state is obliged to ensure all my rights," he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday clarified that a misconception has taken hold in some quarters that the party is solely focused on elections and not on reforms. “We have been sincere about reforms from the very beginning. Unfortunately, we’re now hearing statements that the BNP does not want reforms, but only elections. This is not correct,” he told a dialogue. The Forum for Bangladesh Studies organised the dialogue titled 'Unity, Reform, Election' at the Krishibid Institution in the capital. Fakhrul said that the BNP is committed to participating in the elections only after necessary reforms are carried out to ensure a free, fair and credible voting process. “We keep talking about elections because it’s the main gateway to democracy and the democratic process,” he asserted. Describing the BNP's sincerity regarding reforms, he mentioned that their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented Vision 2030 in 2016, outlining several reforms, including ensuring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, limiting any individual to serving as Prime Minister for no more than two terms and introducing a bicameral parliament. He said BNP also unveiled a 31-point reform proposal after consulting with other democratic political parties, who had joined the movement against fascism, in 2022. “Our main problem is that there is no democratic practice here, and no democratic culture has been developed. Without a democratic culture, there will be repeated calls for reform,” the BNP leader said. He also pointed out that it would not be possible to achieve any meaningful progress by imposing changes from above without a democratic culture and structure in place. “The real problem is, who will implement these things (reforms)? Your administration and your government machinery are still completely under (the influence of) fascism,” Fakhrul observed. He said democracy would only succeed in Bangladesh if proper structures are built and institutions are fixed and made suitable for democratic processes. The BNP leader also emphasised the need to change the mindset of people in order to accept and adapt to the evolving situation and system. "We have to practise democracy for developing that mindset. There’ll be mistakes, there’ll be errors... through this, you have to take the bureaucracy and system forward," he said. Fakhrul said the nation needs to remember the sacrifices of the people for the country’s Liberation War in 1971 and the subsequent democratic movements. "I need to say another important thing that we should never forget 1971. We need to remember each and every one of the continuous struggles for democracy since 1971. Through that struggles, through the sacrifices of the students, we have reached the position we are in now," he said. The BNP leader assured that their party is always in favour of necessary reforms to make democracy stronger and more functional. "We have worked for that and will continue to do so in the future. At the same time, we think that nothing should be imposed from above by excluding the people. We have to prepare the people. We want to do these things together with everyone.” He said the questions regarding unity, reform, and elections are arising now, as Bangladesh is going through a very complicated political period. "It’s unfortunate for us as a nation that, even after 53 years of independence, we still have to discuss these issues. It would have been better if we could have worked on these matters from the beginning and moved forward," Fakhrul said. He called upon the different commissions formed by the government to ensure public engagement in the reform process. "Please, create mechanisms for the interaction with the people." The BNP leader said the government-formed reform commissions will submit their proposals to the government, after which the government will sit with the political parties. "If they (the commission) had sat with the political parties first, I think it would have been more effective and better." He said it will now take time to finalise the reform proposals, as the government will discuss the matter with political parties. "In our opinion, the longer the time passes, the problems will increase further."

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the tenure of the interim government will be less than four years, and their intention is to hold the election as quickly as possible. "I didn't say that I will be (in power) for four years. This is the maximum term. But that's not our intention. Our intention is to get it (hold polls) done as quickly as possible," he said while responding to a question during an interview with Qatar-based media Al Jazeera. Prof Yunus said the exact timeframe for the interim government's tenure has not been determined yet. He said the regular government is for five years and the new Constitution may say four years, probably. "It should be under four years, that's for sure. It may be less," Prof Yunus said. 27 envoys of European countries to meet Prof Yunus soon in Dhaka The chief adviser said it is all about what people and political parties want. "If political parties say forget about it (reform), give the election, we will do it," Prof Yunus said. Asked if he plans to stand for election, Yunus said, "I am not a politician. I enjoy my role and what I have been doing. In my last stage of my life, I am not going to change that." In the interview, Dr Yunus acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Bangladesh is deep in corruption because of the system that we had for the past 15 years – mismanagement, misgovernance, the destruction of our institutions,” he said, adding that rebuilding the system “point by point, sector by sector” will be a “big task”. Highlighting the important reforms before the next national elections, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday pledged that they will hold the desired elections on completion of some necessary reforms. Reforms aimed at ensuring ‘free, fair’ elections: Dr Yunus tells UK Minister “I am not sure how much opportunity we will get to implement the reform proposals. But I am giving you a word, if you give us a scope, we will hold your desired elections after completing some necessary reforms. Till then, I request you to be patient,” he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening, marking the completion of 100 days of the interim government. The Election Commission will be formed in a few days, the chief adviser said, adding that all the responsibility of organising the elections will fall on the Election Commission once it is formed. Mentioning that the question of when the elections will be held is on everyone's mind, Prof Yunus said they want to create an electoral system that will be followed for ages in the country and it will help save the country from any political crisis. “For this, I am seeking the necessary time from you. Once the decision on electoral reforms is made, you will also get the election roadmap very soon,” said the Nobel Laureate who took oath as the chief adviser on August 8.

Two of the three parliamentary seats were won by Awami League’s candidates in Thakurgaon and one by Jatiya Party's ‘plough’ in the 12th parliamentary elections. Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan elected by 140,000 Magura-I constituency Ramesh Chandra Sen and Mazharul Islam Sujan from Awami League won in Thakurgaon-1 and Thakurgaon-2 respectively while Hafizuddin Ahmed from Jatiya Party in Thakurgaon-3. Hasina wins Gopalganj-3

Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Maj Gen A K M Nazmul Hasan said that the force is ready to deal with any law and order situation centered on the upcoming elections. The BGB chief came up with the remark during an exchange of views with BGB members at Chuadanga battalion headquarters on Sunday. Four private airlines, inc. three that are closed, owe CAAB over Tk 1223cr It is to be noted that BGB DG Major General A K M Nazmul Hasan visited  BGB Kushtia sector headquarters along with the headquarters of BGB Chuadanga and Maheshpur battalion, and also remote Udaynagar Border outpost (BOP) located at Padma Char area and several other BOPs, including historical Mujibnagar BOP in Meherpur district on Saturday and Sunday, says a press release here on Sunday. During his visits, the DG BGB took salutes at the quarter guard of the battalion headquarters, planted trees and exchanged views with all the members at the battalion and BOP levels. During the exchange of views, the chief of the paramilitary force instructed the BGB members to be ready to deal with any law and order situation in the wake of the upcoming National Parliamentary elections, besides giving various directions on operational, training and administrative issues. Obaidul Quader's ministry asked to investigate why the same contractors get jobs He expressed optimism that the 228-year-old traditional organization - Border Guard Bangladesh - will continue to work as a vigilant watchman of the country's borders as well as to stop any kind of smuggling including drugs. It is to be noted that as a part of the visit, BGB Director General Chuadanga visited Integrated Check Post (ICP) on Sunday. During this time, the Sector Commander of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Krishnanagar Sector, A K Arya (Shri A K Arya) extended floral greetings and greetings to him. Onus for participatory election not on Election Commission, says commissioner Besides, the DG BGB exchanged greetings and views with all levels of BSF officers and jawans present there and expressed the hope of working together to further advance the existing friendly relations between the two forces of the two close neighboring countries. Senior officials of BGB Headquarters, Jeshore Region Commander, Kushtia Sector Commander and other officers of concerned BGB battalions were also present during the visit.

Martha Nyanguour didn't have time to bury her husband, son or granddaughter when they were killed by gunfire in September. Instead, the 50-year-old paid her respects by throwing bits of grass over their bodies, grabbed her remaining children and fled. It had taken years for the mother of seven to muster the courage to return to South Sudan and trust its fragile peace deal ending a civil war. But weeks after she arrived in Atar town in Upper Nile state, fighting erupted between militias aligned with government and opposition forces. Also Read: Abducted Bangladeshi peacekeeper rescued in South Sudan "I thought if there was peace I was supposed to go back to my land," said Nyanguour, seated under a tree in Kowach village in Canal Pigi county where she now lives with thousands of other displaced people, five days' walk through swamp water from her home village. "I thought maybe there would be peace in the future, but now, hearing gunshots daily, I think South Sudan will remain in war." In 18 months, South Sudan is supposed to hold its first presidential elections, the culmination of the peace agreement signed nearly five years ago to pull the young nation out of fighting that killed some 400,000 people. While large-scale clashes have subsided, violence in parts of the country persists, killing 2,240 people last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Earlier this month at least 20 people were killed and more than 50 wounded during inter-communal clashes in a United Nations protection camp in the north of the country. Also Read: South Sudan struggles to clear mines after decades of war as people start returning home Implementation of the peace agreement has been sluggish. The elections, originally scheduled for this year, were postponed until December 2024. Other key elements of the deal have not been implemented, sparking concern that the country could see a return to war instead of a transfer of power. "We are going to go for (the) electoral process without meeting the benchmarks that create a conducive environment for the conduct of elections," said Edmund Yakani, executive director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a local advocacy group. "The return of the country to violence is more evident than the country staying in stability." A permanent constitution still has not been drafted. A census has not been conducted. Security arrangements, considered the backbone of the agreement, are only partially complete. Some 83,000 soldiers from opposition and government forces are meant to unite in a national army, but so far 55,000 have graduated and are yet to be deployed. Also Read: Thousands of exhausted South Sudanese head home, fleeing brutal conflict Others languish in training centers with poor conditions and little food. Soldiers say many are rarely paid. Locals involved with the security arrangements say there's so little trust that the main parties have held back key fighters, sending less seasoned ones or new recruits. In addition, Joshua Craze, a researcher on South Sudan, says, "The peace agreement signed in 2018 has enabled the government to fragment the opposition by encouraging defections and setting commanders against each other, intensifying violent conflict." The opposition accuses the government of lacking political will to hold elections so it can keep plundering the nation's resources, which include oil. "They don't have genuine political will to implement the peace agreement because they look at the agreement from the angle that it is crippling their powers," said Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary for the first vice president, head of the main opposition and former rebel leader Riek Machar. South Sudan has billions of dollars in reserves but there is little transparency on where the money goes. The country was voted the second most corrupt in the world last year by Transparency International. The international community is exasperated with South Sudan's lack of progress. At a press conference in May, United Nations representative Nicholas Haysom cautioned that the conditions did not currently exist to hold transparent, free and fair elections. But some diplomats are concerned that another extension to the peace deal would send a negative message to South Sudanese citizens, investors and aid donors. The government says it's serious about the peace process and will hold elections on time. During a conference in May on reconciliation and healing, President Salva Kiir vowed that "I will never take South Sudan and its people to war again." The capital, Juba, appears peaceful. Billboards of Kiir and Machar shaking hands above the words "peace, unity, reconciliation and development" line the streets. Children of the political elites are returning with money and opening trendy restaurants, and construction is booming. But outside the capital is a different reality. The fighting that killed Nyanguour's family last year also sent tens of thousands fleeing, part of the highest displacement levels since the peace agreement was signed, according to a report by a U.N. panel of experts. It said government and opposition forces played facilitating roles in the violence. The conflict in Upper Nile cut off access to healthcare, with some severely wounded people having to travel up to four days by canoe to the closest clinic, aid workers said. "The biggest issue was accessibility. It was hard to bring in supplies," said Kudumreng David, a supervisor for the International Medical Corps in Kowach. Food has also become scarce as fighting worsens conditions after years of floods and cuts in food aid. In Kowach, some children rip leaves from trees into a pot for their only meal of the day. Many people outside Juba said they didn't even know elections were set for next year. "We heard there's peace but it hasn't reached here," said Roda Awel, a resident of Kowach. "People are still afraid."

Jatiya Party chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader on Tuesday said that the new US visa policy for Bangladesh will be helpful in holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner. "The United States expects free, fair and neutral elections in Bangladesh. What is said in the visa policy, all goes in favour Bangladesh and its people", Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament told reporters at the circuit house in the town before attending the bi-annual conference of Sherpur district unit of the party. Also Read: Fair election not possible in current system: GM Quader "We can’t expect a free, fair and impartial election under the current government. This needs to be changed. But we need consensus on the kind of change through discussion with all parties. So we (Jatiya Party) support the US visa policy," he added. GM Quader said everyone wants free and fair elections. "We haven't received any proposal regarding the election-time government from anywhere yet. However, we are working for the welfare of the people of the country. How we will participate in the next election will be discussed later and decided," he added. Also Read: People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader    Central leaders, including Jatiya Party Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar, Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Member of Parliament Kazi Firoz Rashid, Presidium Member Mostafa Al Mahmud, were also present. Later, GM Quader and Jatiya Party leaders addressed the bi-annual conference of the district Jatiya Party at Shaheed Minar premises in the Chawkbazar center of the town. Also Read: Assault on on-duty journalists an unpardonable crime: GM Quader  

Elections of five city corporations will be held in three phases by June this year. The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the EC office in Dhaka’s Agargaon. Election Commission secretary and other relevant officials were present at the meeting. Read more: EC is totally independent to conduct election: PM Hasina Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam said that Gazipur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and Barishal city corporation elections will be held by June. The election schedule for these cities will be announced mid-April.