‘Who said what doesn’t matter’ Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus reiterates pledge to hold polls on February 12

The general election and referendum will be held on February 12 as scheduled, regardless of the various statements or suggestions of US diplomats, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government, has clearly stated. He said that the election will be held on February 12, not a day before, not a day after, and the interim government is firmly committed to this.

The Chief Advisor made these remarks during a courtesy call on Albert Gombis and Morse Tan, two former senior US diplomats who served in the Donald Trump administration, at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital on Tuesday (January 13) evening. During the meeting, he emphasized, “Who said what doesn’t matter. The polls will be free, fair, peaceful and festive.”

The chief advisor also said that fake news and confusion are being deliberately spread around the elections. A group is systematically trying to create doubts in the public mind. However, despite all this propaganda, the interim government is steadfast in its commitment to hold the elections on time. He also assured that power will be transferred peacefully to the democratically elected government after the election results are announced.

Dr. Yunus said that the interim government will play a completely neutral role during the elections. He said that equal opportunities will be ensured for all political parties and the administration will be conducted without bias. The government will take utmost care to ensure that the elections are acceptable and credible.

In this meeting that lasted for about an hour, in addition to the upcoming elections, the July mass uprising and the subsequent political situation, the rise of young activists, the July Charter and referendum, fake news and misinformation spread around the elections, the Rohingya crisis and the possibility of 'Truth and Reconciliation' in the context of post-July Bangladesh were discussed in detail.

Regarding the referendum, the Chief Advisor said that the interim government is campaigning for a 'yes' vote in favor of the July Charter. He expressed hope that if the people agree, this charter will usher in a new chapter of democratic governance and will prevent the recurrence of dictatorship in the future.

Dr. Yunus also said that supporters of the then fascist government are spreading fake news and disinformation to question the election. However, the people are now much more aware. They are gradually being able to identify fake videos and misleading information created with artificial intelligence (AI).

At that time, former US Acting Under Secretary of State Albert Gombis agreed with the Chief Advisor's statement. He said that fake news has emerged as one of the main enemies of democracy around the world. He also commented that the government, media and the international community must take more coordinated and strong initiatives to counter this threat.