Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has stated that the national election will be held within the timeframe set by the Chief Adviser and will not be delayed by even a single day.
On Saturday (July 19) afternoon, he made these remarks in response to journalists’ questions after participating in the second edition of the international event ‘TEDxCumillaUniversity’ held at the Mynamati Auditorium of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Kotbari, Cumilla.
Shafiqul Alam said, “There is no uncertainty regarding the election. The Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has specified a timeline for the election, and it will be held exactly within that period. The election will not be delayed by a single day. You will witness a peaceful and well-organized election in a very conducive environment. This government will deliver one of the best elections in Bangladesh’s history.” He further added, “Professor Yunus has repeatedly emphasized that there is no uncertainty about the election. The election will be fair, the environment will be conducive, and a level playing field will be ensured for all candidates. No one should feel that they have been treated unjustly.”
Regarding discussions on the Proportional Representation (PR) system, he said, “The National Consensus Commission and political parties are holding talks and discussions on this matter. In other countries, such decisions often take three to four years. However, due to the prudence of our political parties, consensus has already been reached on eight issues. Discussions are ongoing for seven issues, while three issues are yet to be addressed. We believe good decisions will be made on all matters.”
On the law and order situation, Shafiqul Alam stated, “The government is working to maintain a normal law and order situation. After every incident, you will see that we have achieved good results. No one can claim that a crime occurred, and the perpetrator was not apprehended. In every case, the culprits have been brought to justice, and we are working swiftly. Especially in sensitive cases like rape, we are ensuring prompt trials.”
When asked if any decision has been made regarding separating Gopalganj, the Press Secretary said, “The people of Gopalganj are part of Bangladesh. All districts and people in the country are equal, and this government does not discriminate against anyone. Therefore, there is no decision to separate Gopalganj. The government ensures justice for all citizens equally.”
Regarding the declaration of the July Charter on August 5, Shafiqul Alam said, “We cannot yet confirm whether the July Charter will be declared on August 5, but we are working on it. In other countries, such political settlements take years. In contrast, our political parties are meeting almost daily to discuss this. Efforts are being made to reach a consensus on issues where agreement is still pending. We believe the July Charter will be announced based on the consensus of all political parties.”
The event featured 11 speakers from various fields, including society, science, technology, journalism, music, and entrepreneurship, who shared their life experiences, thoughts, and inspirational stories. The theme of this year’s event was ‘The Next Wave,’ signifying a focus on envisioning the next wave of possibilities. Notable speakers included Cumilla University Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Haider Ali, news presenter Farabi Hafiz, and astrophotographer Zubayer Kaolin, among others.
The organizers stated that TEDx is a TED-affiliated platform with the motto ‘Ideas Change Everything.’ TED is a US-based non-profit media organization that organizes international events and conferences, inviting renowned individuals engaged in unique endeavors. These speakers share their experiences, innovative ideas, strategies, and positive societal contributions in 18-minute talks.
Previously, the first TEDx event at Cumilla University was held on September 30, 2023. The university received approval to organize TEDx events on April 17, 2023.
