Govt ready for polls, zero tolerance for disruptions

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said his government is fully prepared to hold free, fair and peaceful elections, warning that any attempt to disrupt the process will be dealt with firmly.

“We are fully prepared,” Professor Yunus said, adding that both the parliamentary elections and the referendum would be conducted successfully.

He made the remarks on Monday when US Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, paid a farewell call on him at the State Guest House Jamuna.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms undertaken by the Interim Government and overall bilateral relations.

Jacobson, who is returning home after a year-long posting in Bangladesh, praised Professor Yunus’s leadership over the past 17 months and reiterated the United States’ support for the February elections.

The US envoy also lauded the Interim Government’s reform agenda, singling out the “truly remarkable and extraordinary” labour laws, which she said would help attract increased foreign direct investment. She further welcomed the withdrawal of 45 of the 46 cases filed against labour leaders under previous governments.

Responding, Professor Yunus described the new labour ordinance as an “excellent piece of legislation”, noting that leading labour activists had publicly welcomed the reforms, alongside the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions by the Interim Government.

The meeting also covered funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance. Professor Yunus thanked the United States for its continued support, noting that it remains the single largest donor of life-saving aid for more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingya living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh. He expressed hope that the support would continue.

Professor Yunus also thanked Jacobson for her “critical work” during her tenure and described her as a “friend to Bangladesh”, extending an invitation for her to visit again in the future.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present.