Law adviser Asif Nazrul has said they will hold the national election as soon as possible on completion of necessary reforms. “This is not a matter for the Ministry of Law. We will hold the elections as soon as possible after implementing the most essential reforms,” he said responding to a question at a press conference at the Secretariat about the 100-day activities of the Ministry. “Must protect country from militancy and fundamentalism”: Asif Nazrul He stressed the need for ensuring transparency in the electoral process. “We do not want any fake elections like before, nor do we want anyone to use electoral victory as a means to organise fraudulent elections in the future. Beyond this, we have no other interest.”  “Most members of the interim government are keen to return to their respective professions as soon as possible. There has been no mention of a four-year tenure, he added.

Law Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul said on Tuesday that the people of Bangladesh will decide whether the Awami League and its 14-party alliance should be allowed to contest in the national election. Speaking to reporters after a morning meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, the adviser underscored the public’s role in determining election eligibility for parties accused of blatant human rights violations. Search Committee for EC to be announced within a day or two: Asif Nazrul “It’s ultimately up to the people to decide whether this party that has shown no remorse for genocide, should be allowed to contest before facing justice,” he said in response to a question. The law adviser also noted that trial must precede any conclusive decision on Awami League’s eligibility for election.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir on Tuesday said the government shares the same view of the Law Adviser about President Mohammed Shahabuddin. “The government agrees with what Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said earlier (regarding President)…there has been no decision as of now regarding removal of the President,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening while responding to a question. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretaries Nayem Ali and Shuchismita Tithi were present during the briefing. The Law Adviser on Monday accused President Mohammed Shahabuddin of lying about not receiving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter, claiming the statement violates his oath of office. "The president’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath," Dr Asif said. Read: Students demand president's resignation, ban on BCL from Shahid Minar rally He pointed out that Shahabuddin himself, during a national address on August 5, had said that the former prime minister had submitted her resignation, which he accepted in the presence of the three chiefs of the armed forces. The students staged demonstrations in front of President’s residence Bangabhaban and city’s Shahbagh intersection demanding resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin by this week. The leaders of anti-discrimination student movement also placed five-point demand, including rewriting the Constitution by cancelling the 1972 one, banning Bangladesh Chhatra League by this week, new proclamation of republic and declaring the last three national elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024 illegal. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators, in a post from his verified Facebook account said the Council of Advisers of the interim government has given them time to discuss with them on their demands on Wednesday. They expect that the interim government will take a decision after discussion to implement the five-point demand of the students. Read more: Protesters stage demo near Bangabhaban demanding President’s removal

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has accused President Mohammed Shahabuddin of lying about not receiving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter, claiming the statement violates his oath of office. Nazrul made these remarks during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Monday, responding to questions from journalists about the president’s recent comments. "The president’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath," Nazrul said. He pointed out that Shahabuddin himself, during a national address on August 5, had said that the former prime minister had submitted her resignation, which he accepted in the presence of the three chiefs of the armed forces. Election timing to be fixed under CA's leadership: Asif Nazrul Nazrul further referenced an opinion issued by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in response to a request from the president under Article 106 of the Constitution, which allows the Supreme Court to provide advisory opinions. The first line of the opinion, reads: "In the current situation of the country, as the prime minister has resigned..." The adviser stressed that the chief justice and judges of the Appellate Division had signed the opinion, and that the president had seen, received, and signed it as well. Nazrul also questioned Shahabuddin’s mental capacity to continue as president. "The constitution states that if a president lacks physical or mental capacity, or commits serious misconduct, steps can be taken to remove them from office," he said. "Contradicting one’s own statements in front of the nation is akin to misconduct, raising questions about his mental capacity to serve." He warned that if the president continues to stand by his statement, the interim government’s advisory council would convene to discuss his qualifications to remain in office. Anger against Shakib not unwarranted: Asif Nazrul The controversy arose after an interview with President Shahabuddin was published in Jonotar Chokh, a political magazine, where he claimed that while he had heard of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, he had not received any official documents or evidence related to it. The interview was conducted by Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor-in-Chief of the daily Manab Zamin, and was published last Saturday.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the next national election could be arranged by the next year - 2025 - after completing the pre-election preparations including formation of a new Election Commission through a search committee. "I think realistically, holdind the election can be possible by the next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption to me," he said. The law adviser made the remarks when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the election timing during a programme titled "Ajker Patrika" hosted by Channel I late Thursday night. Dr Asif said a search committee will be formed soon to help form the new Election Commission. The new EC will then prepare a flawless voters' list and then election will be held, he said. Extradition & Good Faith Provision Responding to a question on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition, the law adviser said there is an extradition treaty with India and Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh if India obeys by the treaty. He said it will be protested strongly from the Bangladesh side if India tries to talk about a provision that it was not done in "good faith." Asif said they will have many legal arrangements. "India is certainly bound to return Hasina (to Bangladesh) if India honestly interprets this." Read: Proportional representation in election won’t be applicable for Bangladesh: Rizvi Hasina, staying in India, is now facing arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday. At a media briefing recently, the law affairs adviser said Bangladesh will definitely seek extradition of any convicted person under the extradition treaty with India once trials begin. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said they will take the necessary steps and try to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back home as the ICT issued arrest warrant against Hasina and top Awami League leaders. "We will try and take necessary preparations," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the court has given one month time. The adviser did not want to elaborate further. Amid various conflicting reports on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s status and location, the government of India on Thursday evening clarified that she arrived in India on short notice, while indicating that her stay there is likely to continue for the time being. "We have seen some reports…I don't have any comments to offer. I had earlier mentioned she had come here (India) at a very short notice for safety reasons. She continues to be,” said Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi. During the TV programme with Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, adviser Asif mentioned that he had never said that any journalist would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal. It was a big misinterpretation of what he actually said in overall context, he said. Asked about a perception that he is the most powerful adviser, Asif said it is completely a wrong publicity and he has the same and equal power like other advisers in the Council of Advisers. He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus holds the most of the consultations with the student leaders and it is logically done. Read more: Bangladesh needs election-time neutral govt for fair polls: Speakers  The adviser acknowledged tremendous work pressure on him and he had enjoyed much freedom in the past compared to the current position. "Past life was simple. People used to be happy to see I am pointing out others' mistakes. Now I work round the clock, yet I can't make people happy. I feel bad for that," Asif said, sharing his current experiences. The qdviser said he had passed similar hardworking period while doing his PhD and he would be happy if he can make people happy with his works.

Journalists found guilty of involvement in the killings during the anti-discrimination student movement will face trial in the International Crimes Tribunal, according to Dr. Asif Nazrul, the Interim Government’s adviser on law, justice and parliamentary affairs Speaking to reporters after inspecting renovation work at the tribunal's main building on Tuesday, Adviser said, “After following the proper legal procedures and conducting thorough analysis, the prosecution team will take steps to bring the journalists involved as accused in the tribunal. I can assure you that guilty journalists will also face justice, but it will be fair.” Asif Nazrul explains rationale for amending CSA instead of repealing He added, "We are determined to prosecute those responsible for the killings and mass atrocities surrounding the anti-discrimination student movement. The renovation work at the International Crimes Tribunal is progressing rapidly, and we expect to resume proceedings in the main building from November 1." Md. Tajul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal, mentioned that a reception for the judges will be held in the tribunal’s courtroom on Wednesday. Following that, on Thursday, a bench of three judges, led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder, will begin proceedings in the courtroom.