Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ The interim government of Bangladesh has finally confirmed that the country’s next general elections will be held in February 2026, with preparations already underway. Accordingly, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul emphasized the administration’s commitment to holding the polls as scheduled, despite growing political debate surrounding the timeline. Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Cabinet Division on Tuesday, Nazrul said, “The government is firmly moving forward with election preparations. The polls will take place in February, and there is no ambiguity in our position.”
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The law advisor’s remarks come amid rising speculation, particularly after several leaders from the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) suggested that elections might be delayed unless key reforms and legal proceedings initiated by the interim government are completed first. Nazrul dismissed the concerns, saying that political commentary on election timing is nothing new. “In Bangladesh, it’s common for parties to express opinions about elections. This is part of the political process. These statements don’t reflect any shift in the government’s commitment,” he said.
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The law adviser clarified that, while political parties are free to voice their views, the responsibility to conduct elections lies with the government and the Election Commission, not individual parties. “We want to make it absolutely clear: the elections will be held in February.” He also reaffirmed confidence in Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, describing him as “a globally respected figure” and stressing that there is no question of deviating from the announced plan. “Dr. Yunus is fully committed to this timeline,” Nazrul said.
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Earlier this month, Yunus had publicly announced that the elections would take place in February. Shortly after, the Election Commission confirmed that the polls are expected to be held in the first week of the month, marking the country’s 13th parliamentary election. Officials also said a formal roadmap would be released within the week. Despite the clarity from the government, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin acknowledged that holding a free, fair, and inclusive election remains a major challenge. Speaking on Saturday, he confirmed the polls will be held in early February 2026, but added that the specific date would be announced two months before the election schedule is finalized.
The shift in election timing comes after pressure from various political parties, many of whom had pushed for elections to take place before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins in early March. Additionally, the announcement also coincided with the first anniversary of the student-led uprising that removed the long-ruling Awami League from power. Thousands of people gathered in Dhaka to mark the occasion with rallies, concerts, and prayer events. During the commemorations, Chief Adviser Yunus read out the “July Declaration,” which aims to formally recognize the 2024 protest movement in the national constitution.
As election preparations ramp up, the CEC met with local officials in Rangpur this week to discuss law and order issues. Uddin acknowledged widespread mistrust in the electoral process but said the commission is “working tirelessly to restore this lost trust.” The political landscape has shifted significantly since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Three days after Hasina left the country, Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership as the head of the interim administration.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), previously the main opposition, has emerged as the largest political force in the absence of the Awami League. The party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, currently in self-exile, announced last Friday that the BNP and its allied parties plan to contest the February elections as a coalition. The BNP had earlier formed a 12-party alliance that included mostly center-right groups and one left-leaning faction. Notably, it has distanced itself from its former ally, the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami. Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party, formed in February this year by a splinter group of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, is expected to play a key role in shaping the political discourse ahead of the elections.
