Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday assured visiting British parliamentarian Rupa Huq that the next general election in Bangladesh would be completely free and fair.
"People could not vote in the last three elections. There were a fake parliament, fake MPs, and a fake speaker," he told Huq as she called on the Chief Advisor at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital.
"The whole country has now got their voices back. Their voice was taken away forcibly," said Prof Yunus.
Rupa Huq enquired about the tentative date for the next general election, the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government of Bangladesh, and the participation process of political parties.
"I am really encouraged by seeing Bangladesh: 2," said Huq.
Prof Yunus told her that there are two possible timelines for the next general election: December 2025 or mid-2026.
"The election date depends on how much reform people want," he said.
Rupa expressed her willingness to return to Bangladesh to observe the next general election.
Prof Yunus explained to Rupa what led to the July mass uprising and the repression of the people during the regime of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
James Goldman, deputy high commissioner and development director of the British High Commission in Dhaka, was also present on the occasion.
bd-pratidin/GR
