Elections will be held on national consensus after reforms, says Advisor Nahid

The Cyber Security Act will be abolished within a week, the ICT advisor says

The next general election will be arranged once a national consensus is reached after the state reforms are carried out, Advisor Nahid Islam has said.

Speaking after a meeting with Norway's Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen in Dhaka on Monday, the telecommunications, IT and broadcast advisor said: "The interim government has now begun the work of rebuilding the country so that both the nation and its people can recover from the damage.”

"We have achieved a new Bangladesh through the student and public uprising. Over the past sixteen years, the fascist government has committed numerous irregularities and corruption."

He also sought Norway's advice and cooperation in the rebuilding process and Ambassador Gulbrandsen said the Scandinavian nation was ready to assist Bangladesh.

The ICT advisor said the interim government wanted to strengthen relations with Norway as a development partner and solicited investment in the development of IT and media.

When the ambassador asked him about the controversial Cyber Security Act, the advisor said the law would be abolished within a week, and all cases filed under it would also be withdrawn.

Nahid added that not only this law but all laws that hinder freedom of expression are under review, emphasising that decisions on reforms will be taken after consulting with stakeholders.

When asked about minority oppression, the advisor said that minorities in Bangladesh are safe, and that special security arrangements were taken during the last Durga Puja.

He also remarked that the previous government had played political games with minorities, identifying them as a vote bank.

According to him, despite significant incidents of minority oppression occurring under the previous regime, no efforts were made to pursue justice.

Nahid also asked for Norway's cooperation in promoting the truth about the July uprising to counter the negative international propaganda surrounding the event.