Reassuring the nation of a festive and peaceful national election in February next year, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said that no external forces will be allowed to have a hand in the election, and stressed that the election will fulfill the desire of every citizen of the country and desire of the political parties to build a future Bangladesh.  

“This will be a unique election. This is not an election of the interim government. It is an election of each citizen of the country and all political parties,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Tuesday night, quoting Prof Yunus as saying.  

The Chief Adviser said the next election will be the reflection of the collective desire of building the future Bangladesh, standing on its own footing, gaining courage and running the country in its own way, Alam said.

Prof Yunus laid emphasis on efforts to halt any scope of any other country trying to play a hand in the election, Alam said.

He was briefing reporters outside the state guest house Jamuna after Prof Yunus’s meeting with the leaders AB Party, Nagorik Oikya, Gana Sanghati Andolan, Gono Odhikar Parishad, LDP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Gano Front and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder was also present at the briefing.

Regarding Durga Puja celebrations, the Press Secretary said Durga Puja will be celebrated peacefully in a festive manner in the country and the Chief Adviser urged all to remain careful, festive and peaceful. 

Seeking suggestions from the political parties, the Chief Adviser said the next election will be held in the first half of February in a festive manner.

He said a good experience needs to be ensured for the first-time voters who could not cast their votes in the last three elections.

The Chief Adviser said the government will make sure that everyone casts votes and nobody can say that he or she was not allowed to cast votes.

He said those who do not want the interim government to reach the election goal might continue to create barriers in every possible way to foil the election.

“Some such signs are visible. More issues may arise. We need to remain more careful. We will hold the polls in February and will hand over power to an elected government,” Alam quoted Prof Yunus as saying.