‘This election is not a traditional election’

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the upcoming election is not a traditional polls, this is the election of the century.

“The elections we are about to enter are unlike any we have had before. I would say clearly, this is the election of the century. It will set the course for Bangladesh for the next hundred years,” said Yunus on Monday during a view-exchange meeting with Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) held at the Shapla Hall of the Chief Adviser’s Office.

He said that this will not only be a regular five-year election but will also include a unique, nationwide referendum to decide the country’s direction for the next 100 years.

“One election is for the next five years, but the referendum will set the course for a century,” Yunus said, adding, “The importance of this dual voting process in shaping the nation’s future.”

Urging the commissioners and DCs not to treat the upcoming elections just like previous ones to elect a government just for five years, Prof Yunus said, “This is not all about a five-year election. This is the first election after the people’s uprising. This is the election that will transform the people’s uprising into governance. So we have to see this election differently.”

Calling upon the officials to work sincerely, Prof Yunus warned them that there is no room for any mistake, saying that there will be no scope to even express repentance if somehow any mistake is made.

“There is no scope for error. No scope for confusion. This election will give the nation a new life and a new birth. And we – the people organizing it – are like midwives assisting in this new birth. Our duty is to ensure that this newborn future is safe and beautiful,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid moderated the meeting while Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, newly appointed DC to Bogura district Toufiqur Rahman and Tangail DC Begum Sharifa Haque took part in the discussion.