Polls likely by Dec this year

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday reaffirmed the interim government’s commitment to holding a free and fair election.

The vote is likely to take place by December this year, he said.

He said this at a meeting with Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka.

At the meeting, Lahbib said the EU will provide 68 million euro this year for the Rohingya response, including support for host communities in Bangladesh and humanitarian aid for those affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Despite the increased funding compared to last year, Lahbib warned that the amount remains insufficient to prevent a significant deterioration of conditions in the Rohingya camps due to a widening funding gap.

Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis, calling it a “major issue” for the country.

The hour-long discussion also covered regional energy connectivity, flood management, climate change, and the interim government’s reform initiatives.

Yunus sought EU support for importing hydroelectricity from Nepal, highlighting its potential to aid Bangladesh’s transition to renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

“We talk about renewable energy, and here it is. Both Nepal and Bhutan are eager to sell renewable energy to us,” he said.

Lahbib emphasised the need for greater cooperation in disaster preparedness, climate change mitigation, and flood control, stating that the EU is keen to share best practices with Bangladesh.