Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to holding elections as scheduled, promising a “peaceful and beautiful” process that will surpass all previous elections in Bangladesh’s history.
Speaking at the International Event Law program at Comilla University’s Mainamati Auditorium, hosted by the Bangladesh Rural Development Academy (BARD) on Saturday, July 19, Shafiqul emphasised that there is “no uncertainty” about the upcoming polls.
Addressing journalists, Shafiqul guaranteed a level playing field for all candidates, stating, “No candidate will feel wronged. The election will be fair for everyone.” He highlighted ongoing dialogues with political parties through the National Consensus Commission and the Election Commission, noting that consensus has been reached on eight issues, with discussions continuing on seven more.
“While these processes take years elsewhere, we aim to achieve consensus swiftly,” he said, expressing optimism about finalising the July Charter, a framework born from the 2024 uprising.
Shafiqul predicted an “election wind” sweeping through Bangladesh’s villages after the rainy season, driven by the enthusiasm of the youth, many of whom have been deprived of voting opportunities for years. “The young generation is eager for the upcoming elections,” he added.
Responding to concerns about the recent violence in Gopalganj, where attacks on a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally claimed four lives, Shafiqul defended the government’s actions. “The people of Gopalganj are our citizens, and the government will not discriminate. All law violators are being brought to justice, but no innocent person will be harassed,” he said. Challenging claims of human rights violations, he invited critics to visit Gopalganj with journalists, asserting, “There is no violation of the law there.”
Shafiqul stressed that law enforcement is acting swiftly to apprehend criminals, with 25 arrests made in connection to the Gopalganj clashes. He also addressed broader law and order concerns, stating, “The government is working diligently to arrest offenders after every incident.”
On the July Charter, Shafiqul hinted at an imminent release, saying, “The July Declaration may come soon.” He accused the previous Awami League government of suppressing opposition voices through “Aynaghars” and vowed that the interim government would prevent such tactics. “This generation has stood against tyranny, and we will ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Reflecting on the Yunus administration’s priorities, Shafiqul underscored poverty as a persistent challenge, even after the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July uprising. “Dr Yunus’ goal is to send poverty to a museum, and we are working toward that vision,” he said, emphasising economic reforms alongside democratic transition.
The event, themed The Next Web, was the second of its kind hosted by Comilla University, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Haider Ali as a key speaker.