Several political parties, including the BNP, have called upon the interim government, headed by Dr Muhammad Yunus, to provide a roadmap for the forthcoming 13th National Parliament elections.
However, a number of parties have also raised demands for essential reforms before discussing the election roadmap.
According to the interim government, election-related work will progress in tandem with the reforms.
On 5 October, several registered political parties participated in a dialogue held at the state guesthouse Jamuna, the residence of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
This was the third round of discussions with political parties since the change of government, following two prior meetings. As a result, six reform commissions have already been established.
BNP pushes for electoral reform
BNP Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, stated that organising the 13th National Parliament election is the interim government's top priority.
"We did not discuss specific dates, but they are stating that holding the election is their number one priority," said Mirza Fakhrul. He further noted that the demands presented by the BNP align with public sentiment. "We discussed issues related to the election and reforms to the electoral system," he added.
BNP has also called for the suspension of the Election Commission Appointment Act and the formation of a new Election Commission through consensus with major political parties.
"We have requested a roadmap for the elections, and we have asked for the repeal of the ordinance that transferred NID card authority to the Home Ministry," Fakhrul mentioned.
He emphasised that no controversial individuals should be included in any election reform committees.
Jamaat-E-Islami prioritises reforms before election
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Dr Shafiqur Rahman, has also raised the demand for both a reform roadmap and an electoral roadmap.
According to Dr Shafiqur, "There should be one roadmap for reforms and another for elections. Successful reforms will pave the way for successful elections."
The party has stressed that reforms must precede elections for the process to be legitimate.
Emphasising that the interim government is not here to govern the country but to create a suitable electoral environment, Dr Shafiqur stated, "Their responsibility is to ensure a fair, acceptable, and peaceful election. To achieve this, they must implement key reforms."
Nagorik Oikko Front urges proactive government action
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the Nagorik Oikko Front, has advised the interim government to adopt a more proactive stance and stressed the importance of accountability within the administration.
Manna underscored that district commissioners, police station officers-in-charge (OCs), and UNOs must be held accountable in a formal process.
"Often, they are not responsive even after incidents occur. This cannot continue. They must be warned in advance that any negligence will result in punitive action," Manna remarked.
He further noted that reforms must be widely accepted to ensure success, stressing that efforts must be made to forge a minimum consensus.
"For a good election, we need reforms, and the extent of these reforms should be in line with national unity," Manna said.
Leftist Democratic Coalition demands election roadmap
The Coordinator of the Leftist Democratic Coalition and General Secretary of the Communist Party, Ruhin Hossain Prince, emphasised that it is not solely the responsibility of the interim government to carry out all reforms.
He called on the government to announce a roadmap for the election, stating, "We appreciate the steps taken to initiate reforms, but the most important reform is the electoral process."
Islamic Andolan demands proportional representation
Islamic Andolan Bangladesh has proposed that the current system of elections be replaced by a proportional representation system for the 13th National Parliament elections.
Rezaul Karim of the party argued, "All previous elections in the 53 years since independence have been controversial. We demand proportional representation so that every voter's vote is properly valued. Each party should contest under their respective symbols, and the government should be a national government."
Gono Odhikar Parishad proposes bicameral parliament
Gono Odhikar Parishad has submitted a proposal for the creation of a bicameral national parliament and a reduction in parliamentary term limits from five years to four years.
Secretary General Rashed Khan stated, "We have presented 12 demands, including the need for more competent individuals to manage state affairs and governance."
AB Party wants elections within two years
AB Party has called for fundamental reforms to be completed in order to hold the next election within 18 months to two years.
Secretary Mujibur Rahman Manju expressed doubt over whether the interim government would be able to stick to its proposed timeline. "Nobody has confidence in the government's ability to maintain law and order. The police are still not functioning properly, and the army's magisterial powers have not improved the situation. Several ministries, including Public Administration, Home, and Law, have performed disappointingly," he stated, suggesting the appointment of new advisors if necessary.
Hefazat opposes education reform committee
Hefazat-e-Islam, led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, raised objections to the Education Reform Committee, which had been formed to review textbooks. Maulana Haque claimed that the committee was dissolved in response to opposition from religious scholars and that each commission established by the government should consult with political parties before finalising reform proposals.
Interim government's response
Following the third round of dialogue with political parties, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Mahfuj Alam and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam addressed a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on Saturday evening.
Mahfuj Alam reiterated the government's clear stance against fascism, emphasising that those involved would face justice.
In response to questions about the electoral roadmap, Shafiqul Alam explained that six commissions had been formed, five of which had already been completed. The remaining one would be announced within the next two days.
The commissions, tasked with consulting various political parties and stakeholders, will submit their reports within three months. These reports will form the basis for the advisor council to engage in further discussions with political parties and other sections of society to reach a consensus on reforms.
Shafiqul Alam also noted that the timeline for the election would depend on how quickly consensus on reforms is achieved. While an exact date could not be provided, the government is clear on how the procedure will unfold. The interim government will ensure the election preparations and the formation of the Election Commission proceed in parallel with the reforms.
He concluded by mentioning that the political parties had submitted several written proposals, which will be reviewed in future meetings.
The dialogue with political parties remains an ongoing process, with further discussions expected in the coming days.
