Interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has said the timing of the election is entirely a political decision.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, Dr Yunus outlined the circumstances under which he had assumed the role of chief adviser.
He also emphasized his government's strong commitment to working towards building a liberal, democratic, equitable and secular Bangladesh.
The Nobel laureate economist was sworn in as chief adviser of the interim government on August 8, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government amid a student-led mass uprising.
Yunus mentioned that the interim government had already begun the process of reforms, urging the people to start discussions on what tasks the government would have to fully complete and what tasks could be moderately addressed.
The chief adviser said the government would gain direction through such discussions, but he added that the final decision was a political one. “Political decisions will come from political discussions. Without this direction, we cannot move forward firmly in negotiations with donor agencies and international financial institutions."
