Staff Correspondent

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus today said a free, fair and participatory election will be held in the country after necessary reforms to administration, judiciary, the Election Commission
(EC), electoral system and law-order sector.

"A free, fair and participatory election will be held after necessary reforms to administration, judiciary, the Election Commission, electoral system, law-order sector and free flow of information to give the student-people a successful culmination," he said while addressing the natio at 7.30 pm.

BTV, BTV World and BTV Chattogram centre broadcasted his address. Prof Yunus said the main aim of the election is to introduce an accountable political system against corruption, looting and mass killing.

Local government institutions, he said, must be strengthened and decentralisation of power should be ensured to consolidate democracy.

Claiming that the government has taken a strong stance against corruption, the Chief Adviser said all the advisers to the interim government will disclose their wealth statements within the quickest possible time.

Prof Yunus said submitting wealth statements will be made mandatory for all government officials at phases. To take steps against corruption at the state level, an ordinance will be proclaimed to appoint an Ombudsman in line with the Article 77 of the Constitution.

Prof Yunus said different countries and the United Nations have already extended their full support for the present interim government. "We will maintain friendly relations with all countries. Mutual trust, believes and cooperation will be the base of our foreign policy. We are respectful to all international laws, including human rights one. We have taken steps to become signatory to the international convention on enforced disappearances," he said.

About reforms to different sectors, the chief adviser said health sector is one of the most corrupt sectors in Bangladesh and necessary reform will be brought to this sector to ensure enough healthcare for the country's people.

The Chief Adviser said all involved in the health sector to be made accountable while initiatives will be taken to modernise hospitals and presence of doctors and experts will be ensured at the hospitals.

The 2006 Nobel Laureate said the present generation dreamt of sustainable and environment-friendly development.

"There is no alternative to bringing carbon emission to zero level to address climate change impacts and ensure a healthy world for the future generation. Our government will provide maximum importance to protection of environment and climate. Young generation will be involved in this programme," he said.

About national solidarity, the chief adviser said the interim government believes in national unity aimed at bringing reforms. It will be ensured through political unity that women, children, disabled and religious minorities and indigenous people all are the citizens of the country and entitled to get equal protection as per the law.

He said initiatives will be taken to ensure the rights to all, while a special assistant with the status of an adviser will be appointed to develop national solidarity.

Prof Yunus said the government has activated all programmes to minimise sufferings of the flood-hit people.

Meanwhile, he said, advisers have visited different flood-affected areas and a control room was set up at his office. Initiatives are being taken to minimise flood consequences and find ways to control floods in the future, he added.

The chief adviser said he directed the armed forces, police and other law enforcing agencies to identify their members who were directly involved in killing, disappearances and physical and mental tortures, and bring to them to justice.

Mentioning that he has directed to the authorities concerned to prepare a list of the victims of killing and disappearances, he said: "I have no word to express my sympathy to their families. We will continue our efforts to bring peace in their lives".

Prof Yunus mentioned that he directed the armed forces, police and other law enforcers to take all possible measures to regain peoples' confidence.

A committee, he said, has already been formed to prepare a white paper on corruption, money laundering, anti-people agreements and looting in the name of taking protects that took place in the last 15 years.

The Chief Adviser said he held meetings with envoys and representatives of donor agencies, calling upon them to provide all-out support to rebuild the country after the student-people revolution.

He urged all the Bangladeshi expatriates to send money to the country using official channels, noting that an initiative will be taken soon so that oversee workers can go and return home with honor and dignity.