Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has said national elections will be held by the first half of April 2026 amid demands from major political parties to hold polls by December.
Based on this announcement as reported by PTI, the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap for the elections at an appropriate time,” he said during a televised address to the nation on the eve of the Eid-ul-Adha festival.
Yunus, who took charge after the toppling of the former premier Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August last year, said that the government’s key responsibility is to hold a clean, peaceful, festive, and inclusive election.
“Our goal is to prevent future crises. That requires institutional reform. Without ensuring good governance in the institutions directly linked to the electoral process, all the sacrifices made by students and citizens will be in vain,” the 84-year-old Nobel Laureate said.
Yunus said his administration took over to carry out three mandates ‘justice, reform and elections.’
“I have repeatedly said that this election will be held between December and June next year. The government is doing whatever is necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period,” he said.
Yunus said he expected the reforms and justice issues would reach an ‘acceptable stage’ ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan next year, which is to be observed from mid-February to mid-March 2026.
