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NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
As Debate Over Bangladesh Election Intensifies, A Tussle Over Dates
Dhaka: Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) has declared that it's ready to hold the fresh parliamentary election in the country, but confusion persists on the timing. Nationwide polls are due in the South Asian nation after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year following a nationwide protest. The elections are expected to take place before the first half of April 2026, but so far, no formal discussion has taken place between the government and the EC regarding the timing of the polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday, according to a report by Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo. BNP's Request Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus met with the leader of the nation's key Opposition party--the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- in London last Friday. During the meeting, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman reportedly proposed to hold the national election before Ramadan 2026 as opposed to the Yunus Government's proposal for April next year. BNP is expected to be the frontrunner in the elections, and the party has earlier demanded that the polls should be held by December 2025. BNP Acting Chairman @trahmanbnp and @ChiefAdviserGoB Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a meeting today in London. During the meeting, Tarique Rahman proposed holding the national election before Ramadan 2026. The Chief Advisor reiterated his plan to hold the election in the… — Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) June 13, 2025 "The Chief Advisor reiterated his plan to hold the election in the first half of April 2026 and added that, subject to necessary reforms and progress in justice, it could be held even a week before Ramadan. BNP welcomes this position," the BNP said in a post on social media platform X. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to start from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, till Wednesday, March 18. However, these are the tentative dates, and their confirmation depends on sighting of the new moon, specifically the crescent moon, at the start of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every year, the dates for Ramadan move 10-11 days earlier because it is a lunar calendar. Election Commission's Plan When asked about BNP's demands, the Chief Election Commissioner told Bangladeshi media that he only heard about the demands of holding elections in February/March via the media and did not have any further information. He hinted that if the government wants, the Election Commission would announce elections earlier than April. He said that for now, the Election Commission is focusing solely on preparations to ensure that whenever the election takes place and is ready to deliver. Government's Criticism Critics of Muhammad Yunus have accused him of delaying elections to stay in power longer than envisaged when the interim government was sworn in. But the Yunus-led government has maintained that elections without reform will not make sense, and the government needs time to implement reforms before holding elections. According to electoral law in Bangladesh, election dates are announced officially through a gazette notification issued by the government, and the law does not allow such announcements six to eight months in advance. However, political observers say the announcement by the elected government is a formal practice, but informally, dates are known way before elections are announced. Voters' lists in Bangladesh are being revised and are expected to be ready by February/March next year. Meanwhile, Hasina's party-- the Bangladesh Awami League--which was ousted in August last year, said, "Yunus sounds clearly like he is lying about having 'the most beautiful election ever.' (Not possible when he illegally banned the largest party and unlawfully put over 100 MPs in jail)." "A discussion with Tarique Rahman revealed that there was a scheme to stage an orchestrated and rigged election, excluding 50 per cent of voters from the electoral process," Hasina's party added.
The Print
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Bangladesh to hold election by April next year: Chief Adviser Yunus
During a televised address to the nation, Yunus said the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap in due course, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. The announcement comes amid recent protests by the former premier Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanding elections by December this year. Dhaka, Jun 6 (PTI) Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced that the national election will be held in the first half of April next year, according to a media report. 'There is immense public and political interest regarding the timing of the election. As I've said before, it will be held between December and June. The government is working to ensure an environment conducive to a credible election within this timeframe,' he said. Yunus, who took charge after the toppling of the former premier Sheikh Hasina's 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. He reiterated that the current administration was formed with three mandates: reform, justice, and election. 'We believe that by the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, we will reach a broadly acceptable position on reforms and justice — particularly in addressing crimes against humanity, as part of our collective duty to the martyrs of the July uprising,' he said. On May 28, former premier Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) intensified pressure on the Yunus-led interim government as tens of thousands of youths staged a massive rally demanding elections by December. 'The national election must be held by December. Preparations must begin immediately,' BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman said as he joined the rally through a virtual platform from London. PTI GSP GSP This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh to hold elections in April 2026, in a first since Sheikh Hasina's ouster, confirms Yunus
Bangladesh is set to hold national elections in the first half of April 2026, as announced by interim chief Muhammad Yunus. This marks the first election since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, following a mass uprising. The specific polling date remains to be determined. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Uprising toppled Hasina, ushering in Yunus-led interim rule Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Reform delays and rising unrest raise stakes Bangladesh will hold national elections in the first half of April 2026, interim chief Muhammad Yunus announced on Friday.'I am announcing to the citizens of the country that the election will be held on any day in the first half of April 2026,' Yunus 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate currently heads the caretaker government that assumed power after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, following a mass will be the first national election since the fall of Hasina's government. A specific polling date has not yet been current caretaker government was installed after mass student-led protests in mid-2024 forced long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. The uprising, which turned violent, ended more than 15 years of Awami League rule and ushered in Yunus as head of an interim authority tasked with restoring stability and preparing for then, however, the administration has struggled to manage competing demands from political parties and civil society. The registration of the Awami League was suspended this month, effectively disqualifying it from contesting the next election. The move drew criticism over lack of political inclusiveness. Yunus' office has warned of attempts to destabilise the government following the ban, with his press secretary describing the situation as 'war-like.'Meanwhile, Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed accused Yunus of pursuing a 'politics of vengeance' in a social media had initially indicated elections could be held between December 2025 and June 2026, but political forces demanded greater clarity. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pushed for polls by December, warning that continued support for the interim government would be 'difficult' without a definitive timeline. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also backed year-end elections and expressed unease over the political the same time, the newly formed National Citizen Party—born out of last year's protests—has insisted that elections must wait until promised institutional reforms are on those reforms has been slow. The government created a National Consensus Commission (NCC) to build agreement on proposals such as restoring the caretaker government system and strengthening judicial independence. While some measures enjoy broad support, others—like constitutional changes and a bicameral legislature—remain divisive. A second round of talks with political parties is scheduled for early and order concerns have intensified with growing protests by civil servants, teachers, and activists disrupting daily life, especially in Dhaka. The public remains wary of escalating tensions in the absence of political agreement.
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First Post
04-06-2025
- General
- First Post
Bangladesh: Yunus govt's Mujibur crackdown continues, revokes his ‘freedom fighter' status
Rahman, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's father, who is known as 'Bangabandhu', will no longer be identified as a freedom fighter in Bangladesh, despite his efforts in the creation and founding of the country read more In October 1961, Mujibur Rahman and his family shifted to the house at Dhanmondi 32. It served as his house until the day he died -- in 1975. File image/AFP The interim government in Bangladesh has revoked the 'Bir Muktijoddha' (freedom fighter) status of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus moves to strip the country of Awami League's legacy. Rahman, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's father, who is known as 'Bangabandhu', will no longer be identified as a freedom fighter in Bangladesh, despite his efforts in the creation and founding of the country. Several other key leaders who played a role in the Bangladesh Liberation War have lost their 'Bir Muktijoddha' status. These include Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, M. Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamaruzzaman. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is a 'Bir Muktijoddha'? A Bir Muktijoddha is recognised as an individual who, between March 26 and December 16, 1971, either underwent training within villages across Bangladesh or crossed into India to join training camps, to fight in the Liberation War. These individuals actively participated in the struggle against the occupying Pakistani forces to secure Bangladesh's independence. Recognised freedom fighters must be civilians who met the minimum age requirement set by the government at the time of the war. In addition, members of the armed forces who participated in the conflict are also to be acknowledged as freedom fighters. 400 others lose status Meanwhile, the Yunus-led government has also revoked the freedom fighter status of 400 elected politicians from the 1970 general elections. According to the ordinance, published by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law under the authority of the President, these leaders will now be classified as 'associates of the Liberation War' rather than as freedom fighters. Rahman's picture removed from notes Last weekend, Bangladesh introduced new banknotes without the picture of Rahman. The new design of the currency notes will portray natural landscapes and traditional landmarks. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khana, told AFP, 'Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks.'
News18
02-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh Political Parties Tell Yunus To Hold Election By December 2025
Last Updated: During the meeting, most parties reportedly expressed their preference for holding general elections within December 2025. Amid the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, held a meeting on Monday. The meeting conducted to discuss the future of Bangladesh's electoral process was attended by representatives of over 20 political parties. During the meeting, most parties reportedly expressed their preference for holding general elections within December 2025. 'I have listened to everything you all have said. This is a meeting of the Unity Commission, and it is our duty to ensure that we work together in a spirit of unity." The Jamaat-e-Islami also joined the call, demanding that elections be held 'at the earliest." However, the party is likely to raise objections over the presence of a Buddhist temple image in official materials shared during the meeting. The meeting comes days after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) intensified pressure on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government by staging a massive rally demanding elections by December. advetisement 'The national election must be held by December. Preparations must begin immediately," BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman said as he joined the rally through a virtual platform from London. 'In the past, all caretaker governments held fair elections within three months. Today, it's been over 10 months and yet, the government has not even announced the date of the election," Rahman said. The Chief Adviser Yunus-led interim government took charge after political turmoil in the nation forced former premier Sheikh Hasina to resign in August last year. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bangladesh Muhammad Yunus First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:51 IST
