Will quit after election following basic reforms: Asif Nazrul

Dhaka, 8 Feb - Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Saturday said they want to quit through holding the much-sought election after carrying out fundamental reforms based on a political consensus that are required for holding a free and fair election in the country.

"I want to make sure that we have no intention of staying in the office by unnecessarily wasting the time. There is no room for any ambiguity about this,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening, highlighting the key recommendations of the six reform commissions.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing.

The interim government received the complete reports of the six commissions and made those available online.

The commissions are the Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Sarfaraz Hossain, the Judiciary Reform Commission headed by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by TIB’s Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Public Administration Reform Commission headed by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Prof at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz.

Responding to a question, Adviser Nazrul said they are interested in discussing with the political parties by mid-February. “I have told you before, even if they agree, the discussions will continue during the holy month of Ramadan.”

The Adviser said the political parties surely have the right to say that they want quick elections but they did not specify what they mean by quick.

He said the Chief Adviser and his Press Secretary, on behalf of the Chief Adviser, have repeatedly clarified to the media that either by December this year or by June 2026.

The Adviser, however, indicated that the election may even take place before June 2026, taking the monsoon season into consideration. “Maybe in April, maybe in March, this is something we have made clear from the very beginning.”

Regarding the July declaration, he said, BNP has prepared a declaration and if it is finalised again based on the opinions of their alliance partners, they will sit with the student leaders.

“However, in this regard, I want to say that our student leaders are showing enough restraint, patience and tolerance. I hope that all those who are party to the July mass uprising, will try to speed up this process a bit,” Adviser Nazrul said.

“This is a document of our unity. This is not a legal document, it is a political document. It is to reassert our unity, nothing more than that,” he said.

Responding to a question on recent incidents, the Adviser reiterated the interim government’s tolerance, freedom of expression and freedom to democratic practice.

On February 6, the Law Adviser said the national consensus-building commission, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, will hold its first dialogue with all political parties and forces in favour of the July Uprising over the reform initiatives in mid-February.

The Chief Adviser will chair the meeting, to be held at the Foreign Service Academy, where heads of the six reform commissions will remain present, Asif Nazrul said.