Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said the interim government will take steps to implement the Media Reform Commission's proposals that can be done without delay. “We want to implement the reform proposals that are immediately implementable. For that, I would like the Reform Commission to submit the recommendations quickly that need to be done immediately or can be implemented quickly,” he said. Dr Yunus termed the work of the Media Reform Commission led by senior journalist Kamal Ahmed invaluable. Quick national consensus possible through dialogue: Ali Riaz He suggested working towards making this report available to other people, including students of journalism departments of universities. The Media Reform Commission submitted its report to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna. Senior journalist Kamal Ahmed, who is heading the Media Reform Commission, also had a meeting with the Chief Adviser. Commission members were present. After receiving information from the Commission that Bangladeshi television channels cannot be viewed from abroad because domestic television channels are forced to use a specific satellite, Dr Yunus said the government will take necessary measures so that Bangladeshis living abroad and interested foreigners can watch Bangladesh television channels. Govt expects neutral, responsible role from media: Mahfuj Briefing the reporters in front of State Guest House Jamuna, Commission chief Kamal Ahmed said they want to see quality newspapers, TV channels and radios survive through "fair and transparent" competition. He said the media is seeking accountability from the politicians and the bureaucrats but the question is there about the accountability of mass media. Kamal Ahmed said it is a big question globally today who are the owners of the media outlets. He said there have been no changes in the media ownership, but newsroom leaders have been changed only in line with those political parties who are likely to be in power in the near future. Mirza Abbas questions media’s silence on alleged political-business deals Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present during the media briefing. On November 18, the interim government formed the 11-member Media Reform Commission with an aim to make media independent, stronger and objective.

The National Consensus Commission has received opinions from four more political parties regarding the reform recommendations. Earlier, seven political parties out of 38 ones submitted their complete opinions before the consensus commission within the stipulated timeframe of March 13. So, the consensus commission has received the opinions from a total of 11 political parties till Sunday, said a press release. Besides, 18 more political parties sought a few more days to place their opinions. The Consensus Commission is again contacting the remaining nine parties. Reform initiative completely a homegrown process: CA’s Press Secretary The commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on February 15, 2025. The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties. Later, on March 6 last, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to the political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said the entire reform initiative is completely a “homegrown” process and it will remain the same, noting that Bangladesh’s friendly partners and well-wishers back the reform agenda. “The reform process is fully a homegrown one. We are maintaining the highest transparency,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy while responding to a question. Earlier, the electoral reform commission, police reform commission, judiciary reform commission, anti-corruption commission reform commission, public administration reform commission and constitutional reform commission submitted their reports and a national consensus building commission was formed.  EU to support Bangladesh in holding elections meeting international standards Press Secretary Alam said the consensus building commission held its first meeting and there will be more in the coming days. He said there will be intensive consultations between the political parties and consensus building commission. “You see the whole process is homegrown,” Alam said, adding that in some areas technical support may be required. “We have not said yet whether we will accept technical support or not. But it is fully homegrown reforms involving our people and experts.” The Press Secretary said the interim government remains transparent with adequate openness and this whole process will remain homegrown. As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assured that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing. Reforms to make Bangladesh one of the perfect democracies in world, says Guterres before departing Dhaka "You can count on the UN to be your steadfast partner, working alongside the people of Bangladesh to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all," he said during his just-concluded visit. CA’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahammad Foyez were also present.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said he would be leading a consensus-building commission, which would hold dialogue with political parties over the reports submitted by the major reform commissions. He made the remarks when acting Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Nardia Simpson paid a farewell call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday. Ground is ready to take ties to greater fields: Dr Yunus tells Argentine Ambassador Simpson reiterated Australia's support for the Interim government and its reform initiatives. During the meeting, she recounted the momentous events of July and August and they discussed issues of mutual interests between the two countries.

The Local Government Reform Commission is likely to place a proposal for holding all the local body elections in a particular area on a single day to reduce the election costs. “It is also being considered whether elections for all local government bodies in an area can be held on the same day. It will reduce the cost of elections,” said Chief of the Reform Commission Dr Tofail Ahmed. Local government reform committee chief highlights key issues in reform dialogue He was addressing a views-exchange with media persons at the National Institute of Local Government in the capital on Monday. The Local Government Reform Commission formed by the interim government on November 18 last is supposed to submit their reform report within the 90 days after the formation.   Noting that Tk 23,000 crore was spent on various local government elections between 2021 and 2024, he said if the elections were held in a single day, it would have been possible to hold these elections at a cost of Tk 6,000 crore. In this case, there will be no direct election to the post of chairman or mayor in a local body, rather elected members or councilors would elect its chairman or mayor, he added. Citing that there is no system for local government, he said there should be a unified electoral system for all types of local government bodies to bring these under a system. Govt extends tenure of 6 reform commissions “If the local government bodies are brought under a parliamentary-like system (not holding a direct election to the chairman or mayoral post of a local government body), it will be easy to arrange elections,” said the commission chief. Now there are different types of electoral systems for Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad and Zilla Parishad.   Dr Ahmed said his commission is thinking about a number of reform proposals, including scrapping the provision of using political parties’ symbols in the local body elections and reducing interference of local MP in the functions of local bodies. “There is a line in the circulars that come from the ministries over the development projects of the local government bodies to consult with the local MP, which should not be there,” he said. Dr Ahmed also said they are considering placing a proposal in their report to formulate a unified law for all types of local government bodies. 6 reform commissions not submitting their reports today, new submission dates set Raising the views of people from outside Dhaka, Dr Ahmed said his commission is gaining the opinions from the people outside Dhaka to prioritize the arrangement of local body elections. As per the opinions they (reform commission) get outside Dhaka, people are prioritising local government elections. But it is not being heard much from politicians in Dhaka, he said. “The local leaders of parties that are demanding early (national) elections are talking about two elections (local body elections and national election). Some are talking about local government elections first…some are talking about national and local government elections on the same day,” he added. The commission chief said the opinions of people at the local level are that they are in a vacuum and not getting services from local government bodies ( in absence of public representatives). This is why they think that local government elections should be held now. This opinion is also shared by the local leaders of political parties, he added.

The government has extended the tenure of six reform commissions tasked with addressing major challenges and driving improvements across various sectors. The Cabinet Division issued a notification to this effect on Thursday. According to the notification, the tenures of the Public Administration Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, Constitutional Reform Commission, and Judiciary Reform Commission have been extended. The tenures of five of the commissions, excluding the Judiciary Reform Commission, have been extended until January 15. However, the Judiciary Reform Commission’s tenure has been extended until January 31, added the notification. 6 reform commissions not submitting their reports today, new submission dates set The Constitutional Reform Commission was formed on October 6, while the other five commissions were established on October 3, with a 90-day deadline to submit their reports. As such, the term of all the commissions, except the Constitutional Reform Commission, was due to end on Thursday (January 2). The tenure of the Constitutional Reform Commission was originally set to end on 4 January. Reform Commission to recommend scrapping police verification for passports, govt jobs The extensions aim to provide the necessary time for the commissions to complete their tasks and submit their final reports.