Bangladesh national election likely by Dec: CA Yunus says committed to ‘free and fair’ polls

The Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday said that the country would hold elections in December, 16 months after the Sheikh Hasina-led government was overthrown from power.

Last month, Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed that Yunus plans to hold the next general elections in December 2025. The Chief Advisor’s comments on Bangladesh elections came as he met the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib.

In his address, delivered on the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh winning independence from Pakistan following a nine-month war, Yunus said elections would only be possible after electoral reforms.

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“If additional reforms are needed, and taking into account national consensus, it may take at least another six months,” the 84-year-old added.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi students who were at the forefront of protests that ousted Hasina have launched a political party of their own to fight the upcoming elections.

The launch of ‘Jatiya Nagorik Party’ (National Citizens’ Party), opens a new chapter in the turbulent politics of the South Asian country, which was born in 1971 after separating from Pakistan.

The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group spearheaded protests that began as a movement against public sector job quotas, but the demonstrations quickly morphed into a broader, nationwide uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India in early August.

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After Hasina fled the country, student leader Nahid Islam was made an advisor in the interim government. Last week, he quit his position to lead the new party as its convenor.

Islam told the gathering – which included leaders from other political parties – that the new party would present an alternative political choice for Bangladeshis.

“We will keep Bangladesh and the interest of its citizens in mind and join hands to build a new nation,” said Islam, a Bangladesh flag wrapped around his forehead.