Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today stressed the need for investigations into controversial elections, including the 2008 general election. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room, he highlighted the importance of proper and impartial investigations into past elections. Dr Zahed pointed out that various statistics have shown irregularities, such as thousands of votes being cast in less than a minute at many polling centres. He emphasized the need to probe the 2008, 2014, and 2018 elections to address night-time irregularities that have threatened the country's governance and democracy.
Dr Zahed also called for legal measures, including criminal action, against officials or individuals involved in electoral offences, stressing that justice must be ensured to prevent setting a bad precedent. He noted the prolonged investigation into the Sagar-Runi murder case, attributing it to a lack of goodwill during the previous Awami League government's tenure. The incumbent government, he said, is committed to eliminating the culture of impunity and ensuring impartial investigations into unresolved crimes.
Regarding assistance for journalists, Dr Zahed announced a special initiative under the Journalists Welfare Trust for the families of martyred journalists and injured journalists. Efforts are also underway to produce a documentary highlighting the sacrifices made by journalists during the July 2024 uprising. On the gas and energy crisis, he blamed the previous government's wrong policies for benefiting oligarchs and relying on imported LNG instead of exploring domestic gas resources. Initiatives are being taken to increase the use of Bhola gas and explore new offshore gas reserves to overcome the crisis.
Dr Zahed reiterated the government's commitment to starting the formal process of local government elections within 2026, noting that it may take up to a year to complete the elections at all levels in phases. He also mentioned that the inauguration of the July Museum and related commemorative programmes would be finalised on schedule to mark the anniversary of the July Revolution and preserve the historical memory of August 5.
The press briefing was attended by Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Dr Md Alam Mostafa.
