Holding polls not our sole responsibility: Nahid

Holding elections is not the sole responsibility of the current interim government that came to power through a mass uprising, said Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Adviser Nahid Islam today.
This government led by Professor Yunus is a revolutionary government, not a caretaker one, he said during a meeting with Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Professor Luis Franceschi at the ministry’s office, according to a press release of the ministry.
He said elections will be held in due time as the government has formed commissions for institutional reforms to restore democracy in the country.
“Various commissions have already been formed for institutional reforms, and elections will be held after these reforms are completed,” said the adviser.
He sought the Commonwealth’s support in ensuring an impartial trial of those who committed mass killings during the July uprising, adding that the judicial process for that goal has started.
He also sought support from Commonwealth nations in building a new Bangladesh.
Nahid Islam mentioned that the interim government has received support from all over the world.
Professor Luis Franceschi praised the current government’s efforts towards democratic reforms and assured that the Commonwealth would support the ongoing reform initiatives, including electoral process reforms, in every possible way.
He also affirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to work with the interim government to build an inclusive, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
“The Commonwealth is always with Bangladesh and is keen to work with the country in areas such as education, information technology, media, cyber security, and artificial intelligence,” added Franceschi.
Nahid Islam reiterated that the interim government is working for the country’s transition from an autocratic or non-democratic regime to a democratic one. He said the interim government is ready to take any action that serves the national interest.
Posts and telecommunications division secretary Dr Md Mushfiqur Rahman, acting ICT division secretary Dr Muhammad Mehedi Hasan, Commonwealth advisor and head of Asia Dr Dinusha Nihara, along with other senior officials were present at the meeting.