Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said holding the national election in a participatory manner at the earliest possible time is on top of their agenda.

"I have assured our people that, once our mandate is fulfilled in the conduct of elections as well as the required reform is done, we shall hold a free, fair and participatory election," he said while delivering his speech at the BIMSTEC Summit.

Dr Yunus said they will continue to work steadfastly to ensure the constitutional rights of every citizen of the country whether they are women or the members of ethnic and religious minorities as they rebuild Bangladesh.

Thai Prime Minister and Chair of the 6th Summit Paetongtarn Shinawatra and leaders of the member States were present.

Dr Yunus said the interim government in Bangladesh is pledge-bound to undertake robust and far-reaching reforms to restore economic stability and sustained growth.

"We are committed to good governance, combating corruption and bringing order to every sphere of economy," he said, adding that these are at the core of the reforms they have planned.

The interim government constituted six Commissions to recommend reforms to the judiciary, the electoral system, public administration, police, the anti-corruption office, and the constitution to ensure public ownership, accountability and welfare of the people.

The Commissions have already submitted their recommendations, which are under active consideration of the government.

"We have formed a seven-member 'Jatiya Oaikyamot (Consensus) Commission' headed by me and comprising the chiefs of all the six Commissions to consider and adopt the recommendations submitted by the individual commissions," Dr Yunus said.

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He said they have also formed four additional Commissions recently to make policy recommendations on media, health, labour and women’s rights.

In 1971, hundreds of thousands of ordinary women and men, children and youths made supreme sacrifice in a nine-month long genocide, fighting against a brutal military, said the Chief Adviser.

He said people aspired for an inclusive, just and free society where every ordinary person could materialise his or her dreams.

Sadly, Dr Yunus said, in the course of past fifteen years, people, especially the youth, progressively saw their spaces and rights curtailed. "They witnessed the deep erosion of almost every State institution and civic rights trampled."

The Chief Adviser said the common mass brought an end to the "brutal authoritarian" regime, at the expense of lives of close to 2000 innocent people, mostly youths, including 118 children. "The people of Bangladesh witnessed a re-birth in her history."

"The student leaders, who led the uprising and freed the country from the corrupt and autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina, appealed to me to lead the country during this crucial juncture of our history," Dr Yunus said. "I agreed to take the responsibility, for the sake of our people."

Dr Yunus took a moment to express his heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the governments and the people of Thailand and Myanmar in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake that has caused a huge loss of life and property in Myanmar and Thailand.

"Bangladesh stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from Thailand and Myanmar during this difficult time," Dr Yunus said.

"We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and pray for the quick recovery of the injured," he said, adding that he is confident that given the strong leadership and the government's efforts, they will be able to overcome the challenges and restore normalcy in the affected areas.

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Dr Yunus conveyed his sincere appreciation to the government of Thailand for carrying forward the BIMSTEC process since it took off in 1997 in Thailand.

"I would also like to convey our deep appreciation to you for the warm reception and hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival," he said.

Dr Yunus appreciated BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey for his leadership to the BIMSTEC Secretariat.