Bangladesh general elections will be held after electoral and institutional reforms are completed, says Muhammad Yunus. He appealed for the nation’s patience in a televised address marking 100 days in office for the caretaker government since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, said their tenure would be less than four years with no exact timeframe. He added it should be under four years, or maybe less – giving onus to the people of Bangladesh and the respective political parties, and the ongoing reforms. Yunus promised to hold the anticipated election once all the essential (electoral and constitutional) reforms are complete.
The Nobel Laureate highlighted that about 15,000 people were killed in the weeks of protests that toppled the Hasina government, and over 3,000 were forcibly abducted during her 15-year rule. He vowed to probe human rights violations, including alleged enforced disappearances.
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Bangladesh Wants Sheikh Hasina Extradited
Yunus also promised to seek the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India, where she fled after resigning. He told the people of Bangladesh that he had already discussed the same with Karim Khan – Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
The chief adviser acknowledged that Hasina’s extradition could strain relations with New Delhi, but believes that it can be resolved amicably between the two countries. Yunus said the students of Bangladesh are demanding the former prime minister’s extradition.
He highlighted that Sheikh Hasina is accused of crimes against humanity in a court in Bangladesh, and people want her to be punished.
Bangladesh On Road to Recovery
Dr Muhammad Yunus, 84, said the interim government is working hard to get Bangladesh back on track after 15 years of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule. He pointed out that students had initially taken to the streets to demand the removal of quotas for access to public employment.
Yunus said young Bangladeshis have the technology, managed to organize a movement with their mobile phones, and have defeated the government. The economist acknowledged that the task is enormous with half of the country’s 170 million inhabitants under 27.
He noted that the Bangladeshi economy is not growing fast enough to allow us to create jobs for everyone. Yunus said the students persuaded him to lead the interim government, and shape a new country.
