Dhaka: Bangladesh's interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, said on Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026. "Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," he said in a broadcast on state television.
The interim government headed by Nobel laureate Yunus rolled out a number of plans to reform various sectors of the country, from the Election Commission to financial institutions. But major political parties, including the BNP, which is headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia — want the new election sometime soon. Despite much criticism and protests within the country, Yunus did not announce election dates.
'Possible to hold the elections by...': Yunus
Elaborating his decision behind election dates, Yunus said he has repeatedly appealed to all to hold the polls after completing all the major reforms, Dhaka Tribune reported. "However, if, and I repeat, “if”, due to political consensus, we have to hold the election on the basis of a flawless preparation of the voter list with minor reforms, then it may be possible to hold the elections by the end of 2025," he said. "And if we add to this the expected level of reforms in the electoral process and in light of the recommendations of the Election Reforms Commission and based on the national consensus, then it may take at least another six months," said the chief adviser.
Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 following a student-led uprising, highlighted the extensive work required to update the voter list, a critical step in the election process.
"From now on, the responsibility has been entrusted to them to start the process of forming the future government. They have started their preparations. They have a lot of work to do," he said. Yunus said no one has had the opportunity to verify the voters' list. "We have to make sure that the names of all those who have become eligible to vote in the last 15 years are included in the voters' list.
This is a big task," he said.
After the student uprising, there is no room for making any mistake as after a long time, many young people will vote for the first time, he said, adding that in the past, they were deprived of that right and joy.
(With inputs from agency)
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