With only a few days left before voting, the interim government’s main duty should be to ensure a free, fair and neutral election. Instead, the country is seeing a sudden push to approve major policy decisions and large financial deals at the last moment. This has caused growing concern and confusion among the public.
These are not routine government actions. Very large and costly decisions are being taken at unusual speed—decisions that even a newly elected government would normally examine carefully. The timing has raised an obvious question: why the rush now, when political parties are busy campaigning and public attention is limited?
One of the clearest examples is the plan to sign a tariff agreement with the United States just three days before the national election. The signing is set for 9 February in Washington, DC. Although Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin was expected to lead the delegation, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman will now lead the talks. Both officials are scheduled to leave Dhaka on 5 February. They will first travel to Tokyo to sign the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (BJEPA) on 6 February, and then go on to Washington.
The US tariff issue began in August last year, when Bangladesh and the United States agreed in principle on a 20% retaliatory tariff on Bangladeshi products. Earlier, tariffs announced under the Trump administration had reached 37% and later 35%. After negotiations, the rate was reduced to 20% on 31 July, but no formal agreement was signed at that time. Discussions have continued since then, including talks on further tariff cuts and duty-free access for garments made with US cotton. These talks are now moving toward a binding agreement.
According to sources in the Commerce Ministry, to secure these benefits Bangladesh must agree to reduce its trade deficit with the United States. This would involve plans to buy 25 Boeing aircraft over the coming years, as well as increase imports of fuel oil, LNG, wheat and cotton. Talks on aircraft numbers, prices, delivery schedules and technical details are still ongoing and may be finalised through this agreement.
This leads to a key question: should an unelected interim government make such major financial commitments just days before an election? The role of an interim government is to ensure a fair transfer of power through credible elections—not to lock the country into long-term spending decisions.
Such agreements place heavy financial pressure on the next elected government even before it takes office. Decisions involving aircraft purchases, delivery timelines and billions of dollars in public spending are political in nature and should be made by a government chosen by the people. Making these choices in advance risks weakening democratic practice and limiting the options of the next administration.
Concerns have increased further after three senior officials were recently appointed to the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines: National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, and Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. They were appointed under Section 30(b) of the Bangladesh Biman Act, 2023. This has led to speculation about a possible connection between the new board appointments and the planned Boeing purchase.
This is not the only major step taken in recent weeks. On 21 January, the National Pay Commission submitted its recommendations to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. If implemented, the proposed pay scale would require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore in spending. While this government will not implement the pay scale itself, the cost will fall on the next government.
At the same time, as its term comes to an end, the interim government has moved to create a National Media Commission. Draft ordinances for both a National Media Commission and a Broadcasting Commission were released within days of each other, allowing only three days for public feedback. Media professionals have criticised both the content of the proposals and the speed of the process.
The interim government came to power through a mass, student-led movement and initially enjoyed strong support from across the political spectrum. Carrying forward the spirit of July was its main responsibility, and political parties cooperated in good faith. That trust now places a duty on the government to act with restraint as it prepares to hand over power.
In these final days, the interim administration should focus on routine duties and managing the election. Pushing through major policy and financial decisions at this stage risks damaging its legacy and creating doubts at the very end of its tenure. At this moment, Bangladesh needs stability, confidence in the election process, and a smooth and credible transfer of power.
Source: https://www.daily-sun.com/front-page/855456