Dhaka, Nov. 8 -- Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday said good governance and reforms cannot be achieved overnight, noting that in some countries such reforms took more than a decade of discussions.

Addressing a programme organised by the Citizen Platform at a city hotel on Saturday afternoon, he said the national election would be held in the first half of February as the Chief Adviser and other advisers are actively working to ensure it.

"There's no uncertainty about the election. Discussions on reforms may take place afterward," he said.

Regarding the voting system, Shafiqul Alam said if political parties fail to take a decision, the interim government will make one.

Responding to criticism that farmers, women...