What will Yunus say in his address to the nation on July Uprising anniversary?

The July Proclamation has reaffirmed the people's desire for necessary constitutional reforms through a freely elected parliament within a reasonable timeframe

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will address the nation on the anniversary of the July Uprising, amid growing anticipation over the timeline for the upcoming general election and the status of key political reforms.

The speech will be broadcast simultaneously at 8:20pm on state-run Bangladesh Television, BTV News, and Bangladesh Betar, according to the Chief Advisor’s Office.

Earlier in the day, Yunus read out the 28-point “July Proclamation” at a ceremony in front of parliament, formally recognising last year’s student-led mass uprising and pledging its inclusion in a reformed constitution by the next elected government.

The proclamation reaffirmed the people's desire for necessary constitutional reforms through a freely elected parliament within a “reasonable timeframe”.

An official from Yunus’s office told bdnews24.com that the chief advisor is expected to provide a clearer outline of the election timeline in his address. He may also shed light on the conclusions reached by the National Consensus Commission following recent discussions with political parties.

The July Uprising ended the Awami League’s nearly 16-year rule as Sheikh Hasina left for India in a tumultuous display of public revolt.

The day is now commemorated nationwide as July Uprising Day.

Yunus’s interim government, in power since Aug 8 last year, has moved forward with plans for state reform through the Consensus Commission. Last week, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul indicated that an announcement on the election schedule was imminent.

Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam had earlier said that polls would be held within the promised timeframe.

While April was originally mentioned, Yunus later suggested in London that elections could be brought forward to February if reforms progressed sufficiently.

The interim government has already announced its intention to hold elections by early February, ahead of Ramadan. However, parties including the BNP are demanding a fixed and publicly declared timetable.

Yunus has instructed law-enforcing agencies to complete election preparations by December. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, after a private meeting with Yunus, confirmed that preparations are in “full throttle”.