Sticking to two possible timelines for the next national election, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday expressed optimism that the national election would be the “most free, fair and credible” in Bangladesh’s history.

“As I said before, and I say again, elections will be held between December this year and June next year,” he said in a televised address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr.

He highlighted that the Election Commission has already begun preparations and urged political parties to engage with enthusiasm.

Dr Yunus also noted that the Consensus Commission is actively gathering opinions from all political parties.

“The commission aims to identify common ground among political parties and compile a consensus-based document. The parties endorsing this will sign what will be termed the ‘July Charter,’” he explained.

He assured that the government’s role is to ensure transparency in the entire process and facilitate the elections upon its completion.

The Chief Adviser warned of a surge in misinformation and propaganda aimed at destabilising the country ahead of the upcoming elections.

“Our collective unity is making the ousted force frustrated, and they are devising sophisticated tactics to break it. We must not fall into their trap,” he said.

Since the interim government took office, a wave of misinformation has been sweeping through the media and social platforms, Dr Yunus said.

“Fabricated content, doctored images and false narratives are being used to create confusion. Events from other countries are being misrepresented as local incidents to incite unrest. The closer we get to the elections, the more intense these activities will become,” said the Chief Adviser.

Bangladesh’s future depends on eradication of corruption: Chief Adviser

He said the government has sought assistance from the United Nations to counter misinformation campaigns. “The UN Secretary-General has assured us of extending support in tackling this challenge,” Dr Yunus said.

The Chief Adviser described the country as being in a "state of war" against defeated forces attempting to undermine stability.

“The July uprising’s first phase has been successfully completed and now we enter the second phase. Misinformation is the most powerful weapon of these defeated forces, funded by limitless resources and driven by experienced strategists,” he warned.

Eradication of Corruption

Stressing the need for eliminating corruption, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh has no future unless corruption is eradicated.

"Like the people of our country, the international community also wants us to be free from corruption because they seek to expand trade with us. Without eliminating corruption, business and trade cannot thrive. Bangladesh has no future unless corruption is eradicated," he said.

Dr Yunus said the interim government prioritises efforts to ensure a corruption-free administration.

Beyond maintaining transparency during the tenure of the current government, it is committed to establishing systems that will prevent future administrations from corruption, the Chief Adviser said.

"Corruption not only inflates costs to an unimaginable extent but also distorts all institutional structures. Government policies, institutional frameworks, and officials’ responsibilities, however well-documented, become meaningless in practice. The country operates under an unwritten system, forcing the government, businesses, investors, and every citizen to comply with it," he added.

Dr Yunus said the government is focusing on minimising physical interactions between citizens and government offices to combat corruption and bureaucratic harassment. “As part of the prevention of corruption, a decision has been taken to introduce e-filing in all government offices.”

Dr Yunus calls for social movement against misogyny

E-filing will reduce corruption by providing real-time tracking of files within offices, he said, adding, “The government is working to implement online services in all sectors where digital access is feasible. Citizens are often forced to pay exorbitant sums to access essential services. We are committed to ending such financial exploitation and harassment."

The Chief Adviser urged citizens to provide feedback on how to simplify online services and encouraged individuals to email their suggestions.

Social Movement against Misogyny

Dr Yunus stressed the need for a social movement against misogyny and prejudiced attitudes towards women.

“We must identify the existing inequalities in the country and work together to prevent violence and discrimination against women," he said.

Highlighting the role of modern technology in breaking barriers, Dr Yunus said technology has given people immense power to dismantle obstacles, no matter how high or strong they are.” We must utilise it to bridge all gaps."

He also praised the resilience of women who participated in the July uprising and said they are determined to establish their rights.

The Chief Adviser said to enhance women's safety police launched a hotline and the government launched a dedicated short-code service.

The call-taking system is designed to be handled entirely by female staff ensuring a more comfortable reporting environment for victims, the CA said.

Besides, amendments were made to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act to expedite investigations and trials to eliminate delays in justice.

Dr Yunus said DNA laboratories are being set up in Chattogram and Rajshahi alongside Dhaka, while a special judicial service commission is set to appoint more judges soon.

Provisions have also been made to establish special tribunals to ensure swift justice for child victims, he added.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant

The Chief Adviser said they have been putting importance on timely completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant considering the growing demand of electricity.

Upcoming election to be most free, credible in Bangladesh’s history: Dr Yunus

“We have emphasized on the timely completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in view of the country's growing demand for electricity,” he said.

The Chief Adviser said that the Director General of State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has told him that the power plant will be put into trial operation soon.

Dr Yunus said Nepal and Bhutan are very interested in giving Bangladesh hydropower, and Bangladesh is also interested in receiving it.

“There is no alternative (of electricity) to developing Bangladesh's industrial zone. If we can bring hydropower from Nepal, our dependence on fossil fuels will decrease,” he said.

The Chief Adviser said discipline has been restored in the country’s economy from a devastated one while it has been one of the very important attainments of the interim government.

“Confidence has been restored in the banking system. As a result of this, discipline has been restored in the economy while it was very much important among the attainments of the interim government,” he said.