Elections Set for February, says Bangladesh Interim Leader Yunus

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced that national elections will be held next February, as the country on Tuesday marked one year since former premier Sheikh Hasina’s departure from office.

"On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting that the Election Commission arrange the national election in February 2026, before the (Islamic holy) month of Ramadan," Yunus said in an address to the nation on Tuesday evening.

bootstrap slideshow

"We will begin the process of handing over power to an elected government," he said.

Commemorative events were held across the country to remember those who lost their lives during the student-led protests last July, which were met with a strong response by the then-Awami League government.

Hasina, aged 77, resigned and fled to India on Aug 5, and the date is now known as "July Uprising Day.”

On this day, "our beloved homeland was freed from a long period of fascist rule," Yunus said.

The parliamentary election in the nation of 170 million is seen as a major step in building a new Bangladesh with strong institutions and commitment to justice, fairness and welfare.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, was the ousted regime's main opponent and is a leading contender for power.

The National Citizen Party, formed by the students who led the uprising, wants a new constitution as the country seeks to reform its politics.

The Jamaat-e-Islami, which faced significant restrictions during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, has sought reforms in the election system as the last three elections were condemned as farcical.

"The foundation for building a new Bangladesh will be laid in this election. Prepare for it," Yunus said.

"For many years, none of us could vote. This time, we all will vote. None will be left out," he said.

-- BERNAMA