Yunus vows free, fair and peaceful polls

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government's commitment to holding "free, fair and peaceful" elections, saying full preparations are underway to ensure the success of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum.

"We are fully prepared," Prof Yunus said, adding that any attempts to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly.

He made the remarks when Chargé d'Affaires of the United States to Bangladesh, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, paid a farewell call on him yesterday at the state guest house Jamuna.

During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming February parliamentary elections and referendum, as well as trade, civil aviation, labour reforms initiated by the interim government, and overall bilateral relations between the two countries.

Jacobson, who is returning home after an eventful year in Bangladesh, appreciated the leadership of the chief adviser over the past 17 months and reiterated the support of the US government for the February elections, said the Chief Adviser's press wing yesterday.

They also discussed funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance.

The chief adviser thanked the US for continued support for the Rohingyas.

He also thanked the US chargé d'affaires for her "critical work" during her year-long tenure and for being a "friend to Bangladesh", and extended an invitation to her to visit in future.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.