Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for the upcoming national election to be a historic and memorable event, describing it as a rare opportunity to build a “new Bangladesh” in the aftermath of the recent mass uprising.
He made the remarks on Wednesday (December 10) while giving instructions on election preparations to Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) across the country via video conference from the state guest house Jamuna.
All deputy commissioners (DCs), divisional commissioners and senior officials of the Cabinet Division were also connected online.
“The upcoming election after the mass uprising is an opportunity to build a new Bangladesh,” the chief adviser said. “We must make this election historic by organising it in a smooth and exemplary manner.”
Addressing the UNOs, Professor Yunus said history had provided the nation with a fresh chance. “History has given us a new opportunity. Another generation will not get this chance,” he said. “If we can make use of it, we will be able to build a new Bangladesh. If we fail, the nation will fall flat on its face.”
The chief adviser contrasted the forthcoming polls with previous elections. “We have seen elections before,” he said. “Any reasonable person would say that the elections held in the previous period were not real elections; there was deception.”
He stressed that the next election should be treated as a historic responsibility rather than a routine administrative task. “The upcoming election is not like your other duties; it is a historic responsibility,” he said. “If we can fulfil this responsibility properly, then election day will also become a historic day for the people.”
Speaking directly to the UNOs, he added: “If you perform your duties correctly, only then will the government be able to discharge its responsibility successfully.”
Professor Yunus described both the forthcoming election and the planned referendum as critically important for the nation. “The election is for the next five years, but the referendum is for the next hundred years,” he said.
On the referendum, he added that it could fundamentally reshape the country’s future. “Through the referendum we can change Bangladesh permanently. We can lay the foundations of the new Bangladesh we want to create.”
Addressing newly appointed UNOs in particular, the chief adviser said their primary responsibility was to ensure that the election was peaceful and festive.
He urged them to visit all polling stations in their respective areas and to consult all stakeholders, local residents and colleagues to prepare for a well-organised vote.
Emphasising voter awareness about the referendum, he said citizens needed to be clearly informed about their choice. “Voters must be told to make up their minds before they come – whether they will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. They should come to the polling centre with a clear decision.”
Professor Yunus drew a comparison between officials and midwives, saying: “If the midwife is good, the child that is born is also good.” He urged officials to be creative in dealing with any situation that might arise and to take measures to counter misinformation and rumours.
Highlighting the importance of women’s participation, he called for giving priority to women in the electoral process. He said arrangements must ensure that women could come to polling centres safely and without obstruction.
Noting that the election schedule would be announced soon, the chief adviser urged UNOs to start detailed planning immediately. He advised them to prepare clear plans and timelines about “when, how and which tasks” they would carry out from now until the completion of the polls.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraj Uddin Miah, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Mohammad Shafiqul Alam and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Ehsanul Haque were present at the event, along with other senior officials.
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