Polls as per schedule, not a day's delay: CA's PS

The national election will be held on time without any delay, said Chief Adviser (CA)'s Press Secretary (PS) Shafiqul Alam on Thursday, reports UNB.
"The next five or six days are important for the interim government. There won't be even a day's delay. We hope this election will be held in a very festive and smooth environment," he said.
Shafiqul Alam made the comments while addressing the BSRF Dialogue, organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat's media centre in the capital.
"Professor Yunus initially mentioned early April. Later, during discussions in London, we said that if several reforms are implemented and progress is made, then the election could be held in February. We are still aligned with that position. There will not be a single day's delay," he added.
"We hope this election will be held in a highly festive atmosphere. While some level of violence occurs in every election, we will make our utmost effort to bring it down to zero," said Shafiqul.
No matter how the July Charter is finalised and it will have no impact on the election, he said.
About the government's performance over the past year, the press secretary said, "You will judge how successful or unsuccessful we have been. But I believe we inherited a country that was as shattered as one hit by an earthquake. The interim government has tried to steer the country back to a path of growth-and I believe it has been largely successful."
These are significant steps toward establishing good governance in Bangladesh and the reforms would yield further benefits in the future, he said.
About the repeal of the controversial Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act, he said no such worse law has existed in Bangladesh's history. It institutionalised large-scale corruption.
"There was no tender process, no accountability. We repealed that law within 10 days of assuming office and have been making major policy decisions every day since."
He also pointed to reforms in the police force and judiciary.