YUNUS NEEDS HELP TO OVERCOME ALL CAVEATS IN HOLDING FEBRUARY POLLS

February is the deadline set by the interim government of Professor Muhammad Yunus for holding parliamentary elections and handing over power to the elected people's representatives. Yunus has promised to make next year's vote free, fair, and festive. Since the election roadmap was announced, the Nobel laureate has emphasized the importance of fulfilling his commitment to holding one of the country’s freest and fairest votes, to be remembered forever. His press wing has reiterated that no power in Bangladesh can break the interim government's vow to hold the balloting as per the schedule. Instructions have already been given to the Election Commission to prepare for holding the vote, which, if held, will be the second such exercise in less than two years. As we all know, the vote has to be held as the president dissolved the 13th parliament shortly after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League-led government in the wake of the mass protests in August last year.

- Farid Hossain

Despite the government's resolve, many in Bangladesh still have doubts about the elections being held on time or at all. The political parties – minus the Awami League, whose activities have been suspended until the trial of its key leaders for crimes against humanity – have welcomed the announcement of the election roadmap, but the air of uncertainty is yet to clear. The major players – BNP, Jamaat, and NCP – agree on the election schedule, but they have serious disagreements on how the July Charter would be implemented. Disagreements persist on the question of the professional representation (PR) system, which requires fundamental changes in the constitution. BNP objects to PR either in a direct vote to elect the legislature or in electing the proposed Upper House. Converting the parliament into two Houses – Lower and Upper- is still on paper, and it’s far from being