Most advisers have submitted asset statements except one or two: Press Secretary

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that all but one or two advisers of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus have submitted their asset statements. He said the information would be made public soon.

He made the remarks at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Monday, February 9.

Shafiqul Alam said it is not possible at this moment to predict voter turnout in the election. However, he expressed hope that the 13th parliamentary election would be held in a free and festive environment. He also said the Chief Adviser is expected to address the nation before the polls.

Referring to the Awami League, which was ousted from power through a mass uprising, the press secretary said, “What more is there to say about the Awami League? Since November they have been trying to create chaos. The Awami League exists only online. What do thieves and looters do? They shout online. They have looted huge sums of money. We don’t even see them in rallies.”

On the media, Shafiqul Alam claimed that the media has been completely free from control for the past 18 months. “The media has worked independently in publishing any news. We have also ensured that no media house is shut down. Several media outlets closed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure have been reopened, and a number of reforms have been carried out in the media sector,” he said.

He added, “Over the past 18 months, Indian media have spread thousands of pieces of misinformation about Bangladesh. This has become a barrier to building good relations. Sitting in India, Hasina is talking about violence against the people of Bangladesh.”

At the briefing, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said a total of 330 foreign observers are expected to arrive for the 13th parliamentary election, with the European Union sending the highest number—around 211 observers.

He said the interim government’s goal was not to force anyone to come and endorse the election or to seek formal recognition, but to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.