Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus yesterday told AFP that reforms are needed before his country can elect a government following the ouster of autocratic former ruler Sheikh Hasina.
The speed of reforms "will decide how quick the election will be," the Nobel Peace Prize winner and micro-finance pioneer said in an interview on the sidelines of the COP29 climate talks in Baku.
But he insisted that he would steer the country towards a democratic vote.
"That's a promise that we made, that as soon as we are ready, we'll have the elections, and the elected people can take over, run the country," he said.
He said the country needed to quickly agree on possible constitutional reforms, as well as the shape of the government, parliament and election rules.
"We are the interim government, so our period should be as short as possible."
Yunus was named to lead the government as "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising toppled Hasina in August.
Tens of thousands demonstrated in protests against job quotas that morphed into a nationwide struggle to end Hasina's 15 years of iron-fisted rule.
More than 700 people were killed, many in a brutal police crackdown, before Hasina fled to India on August 5.
Hasina rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.
"Any government would be concerned about stability. We are also," he said.
"We are hoping that we can sort it out and have a peaceful law and order," he added.
"It's only three months after the revolution."
In the three months since becoming Bangladesh's interim leader following a student-led revolution, Yunus has endured political turmoil, impatient cries for elections, and destructive flooding across the low-lying nation.
Impatience for elections in Bangladesh has gained pace since Hasina's ouster, and the silver-haired technocrat said he shared concerns for peace and security in the nation of 170 million.
Bangladesh is struggling financially and, earlier this month, Indian firm Adani slashed cross-border electricity supply by half due to some $850 million in unpaid bills.
