Star's comments: Election shines a path forward

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has finally provided what Bangladesh has needed most: clarity about a general election. In his televised speech yesterday, Yunus announced a plan to hold the next election in February. In doing so, he began "the most important and final chapter" of his administration -- the process of transferring power to an elected government. This single act, coming on the anniversary of the previous government's collapse, replaces a year of uncertainty with a clear timeframe for transition to democracy.

The nation can now rally around two fundamental and inseparable goals: the promise of a return to representative rule and the urgent necessity of reforms, especially in governance, anti-corruption, and policing. These are the twin pillars upon which a stable future must be built. An election without reforms risks a return to the flawed politics of the past, while reforms without the legitimacy of an elected government would remain fragile.

The months leading to the February election should be a period of progress in reforms. It's a crucial window to implement the key institutional changes already underway. Equally vital is progress on justice, as Yunus emphasised, to ensure accountability for past atrocities.

The election announcement will also be a much-needed boost to economic confidence. For the past year, both domestic and international investors have remained on the sidelines, waiting for a signal of political predictability. While the interim administration has managed to contain inflation and protect foreign exchange reserves, only the promise of a stable, elected government can truly unlock Bangladesh's economic potential.

Of course, an election alone does not resolve all the challenges, nor does it guarantee the execution of the monumental tasks that lie ahead. It does, however, create a new opportunity to rebuild trust in core institutions, from the judiciary to the bureaucracy. This is essential, as the interim period presided over by Yunus has itself been fraught with difficulties. The abuse of the legal system and politically motivated arrests are the key concerns.

Despite these challenges, Yunus, an essential leader for a time of crisis, has provided a crucial anchor in the country's tumultuous journey. In the chaotic power vacuum a year ago, he was perhaps the only figure who could have stepped into the breach. His unparalleled international prestige as a Nobel laureate made him a symbol of hope and neutrality.

As Bangladesh looks toward the polls, the focus for all political actors must be to ensure this opportunity is not wasted. The goal is not merely to hold an election, but to conduct one that is "fair, peaceful, and festive," as Yunus promised, and cements the foundation for a reformed, resilient, and democratic Bangladesh.