Pressure builds on the Bangladesh interim government as Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) called for an “election roadmap” at a rally on Tuesday, marking the International Day of Democracy.

Addressing thousands of protestors outside of BNP’s headquarters in the capital of Dhaka, Rahman said “[t]he reform programmes need to be carried forward keeping in mind the goal of establishing an accountable government, and a parliament formed by the representatives elected by the people”. On the road to democratic elections, he warned that background instability could upset reforms if political empowerment and direct involvement of the people wavers.

The ‘end of the road’ – election day – is yet to be set. Nor is the road ahead foreseen to be an easy one. While conceding that the interim government has made progress through reforms, Rahman cautioned that “if the interim government fails to set priorities in terms of agenda setting, conspiratorial circles may take various opportunities to disrupt the success of the mass uprising.”

On September 12, the interim government announced it would form six commissions to reform the judiciary, election system, administration, police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the constitution. The interim government sees the respective reforms as prerequisites to a free and fair election. The commissions are expected to start on October 1 and finish their reports within three months. Based on the reports, inter-party discussions will determine next steps, followed by public consultations.

Since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, socio-political instability has become an epidemic and the military has had a substantial role in preserving the interim government. The interim government is headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took the oath as the Chief Adviser on August 8 following Hasina’s escape to India. The anti-government movement found its feet in mid-July amid violent protests over quota reforms for government jobs. The UN suspects that more than 600 people were killed between July 16 and August 11 and has expressed concern over the use of illegitimate force against anti-government protestors.

BNP Secretary General Islam Alamgir said “The sacrifices of the students and the people have given us an opportunity to establish democracy, and we must not waste it”.