Bangladesh: BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman says election must be held in December

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said Wednesday (May 28) that the upcoming national election must be held by December, calling on the interim government to announce a date without delay.

Rahman made the remarks during a rally titled “Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth,” held in front of the BNP’s central office in the Nayapaltan area of the capital. The event was jointly organized by the party’s affiliated student, youth, and volunteer wings– Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal, The Daily Star reported.

“Excuses are already being made regarding the national elections,” Rahman said. “Even after 10 months, the interim government has not announced an election date.”

Addressing the interim administration, he said: “Begin preparations to ensure that the national elections are held by December.”

Rahman also called for a transition to democratic governance, stating: “We want to see a Bangladesh free from fascism, where the government is directly accountable to the people through their votes.”

“The interim government must ensure that the national election is held by December,” he said. “Once again, we stress that the national elections must take place by December.”

He urged BNP leaders to mobilise support and engage with the public ahead of the polls.

“Start preparing now so that the national elections are held by December. Who will govern the country? Who will represent you? Through your votes in the national election, you will choose your representatives,” Rahman said.

“The source of BNP’s power is the people,” he added.

Pressure from BNP mounts

The interim government is facing increased pressure from the BNP to hold elections. Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has also come under fire.

At a rally in Dhaka on Wednesday, BNP’s Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed said the party wanted an election roadmap from Yunus but the interim ruler instead decide to stage a resignation attempt.

“Yet he staged a resignation. We wanted elections by December. We are calling on everyone to unite in demanding a neutral government, democracy, and elections. Let all of us aim for Bangladesh first and foremost under the leadership of Tarique Rahman,” said Ahmed.

The development has come days after Yunus, the unelected ruler of Bangladesh propped by agitating groups and the military last year, threatened to resign over demands of early elections. He has maintained that institutional reforms, not elections, are his priority.