¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

Chief adviser to the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus said that Awami League would not be able to take part in the coming national elections, as currently a suspension order was in place on its activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Because of the order, the Election Commission has also removed the party from its list of registered political parties, he added.

Yunus’s statement came on Thursday evening during a meeting with visiting United Kingdom minister for international development Baroness Jenny Chapman at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka, according to a press release shared by the chief adviser’s press wing on Friday. 

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring the holding of the forthcoming general elections in February next year in a free, fair and inclusive manner.

At the meeting the two leaders covered a wide range of issues, including the February general election, tackling illegal migration, boosting trade, Rohingya crisis, and enhancing cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors. 

Yunus iterated that the election would be held on schedule in the first half of February, emphasising that it would be inclusive and participatory, with a large voter turnout expected. 

‘The election will be participatory. There will be a big turnout,’ he said, adding that thousands of young people were expected to cast their first ballots, as they had no opportunity to vote during three rigged general elections during the 16-year long autocratic regime. 

The chief adviser said that the July National Charter 2025 would mark ‘a new beginning’ for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in the historic July uprising last year. 

Minister Chapman thanked Yunus’s leadership since assuming charge of the interim government, and commended the ongoing dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties over the July charter. 

Chapman expressed concern about the abuse of the UK asylum system by migrants from countries, including Bangladesh, and stressed the importance of safe and legal migration while curbing exploitation. 

Yunus agreed, emphasising that his government was committed to ensuring safe migration and encouraging more Bangladeshis to seek employment abroad through legal channels. 

The two leaders also discussed the Rohingya crisis and the need for continued humanitarian support for more than a million refugees living in camps in Bangladesh, said the release.

‘The young people in the camps are growing up without hope—angry and frustrated. We must ensure they receive education,’ Yunus said. 

The meeting also highlighted opportunities to boost trade and cooperation between Dhaka and London. The chief adviser noted that Bangladesh was purchasing a British research vessel to conduct maritime studies in the Bay of Bengal. 

The UK minister called for stronger aviation ties between the two nations, adding that the head of Airbus International was expected to visit Bangladesh soon.