Dhaka, Feb. 6 -- Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said the interim government would hand over responsibility to the elected government as soon as possible following the national election, expressing optimism that the process would be completed by February 17 or 18.

"The transfer of power will be done as soon as possible. If members of parliament are sworn in within three days, the leader of the majority party will be invited to take the oath as Prime Minister. This could happen by February 15 or 16, and I do not think it will be delayed beyond February 17 or 18," he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

The 13th national parliamentary election is scheduled for February 12. A referendum on the implementa...