Bangladesh will hold national elections in February 2026, interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced on Tuesday, marking the country’s first vote since last year’s mass uprising that toppled the long-standing government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The announcement came during commemorations in Dhaka to mark the first anniversary of the mass movement that many Bangladeshis have come to call their “second liberation,” a reference to the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.
The Bangladeshi capital witnessed rallies, concerts, and prayer gatherings throughout the day.
Addressing the nation, Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate overseeing the caretaker administration, said he would formally request the Chief Election Commissioner to schedule the polls before the holy month of Ramadan begins in February.
“On behalf of the interim government, I will write to the Chief Election Commissioner asking that elections be held before Ramadan,” Yunus said during a nationally broadcast speech to mark the “historic day”.
Power Handover
Yunus, who holds the position of chief adviser in the transitional government, reiterated that he would relinquish power once an elected leadership takes office.
“We now move into the final and most important chapter: the peaceful handover of authority to a government chosen by the people,” he declared.
Earlier, elections had been tentatively planned for April. However, growing pressure from major political parties and civil society groups pushed the interim leadership to bring the schedule forward.
Holding the vote before Ramadan, Yunus said, would help ensure greater participation in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million.
Calling for national unity and support, Yunus urged citizens to pray for the success of the transition.
“Let us work together to ensure the election is free, fair, and joyous in spirit. We are committed to providing all necessary support to achieve that goal,” he said.
Tuesday’s observances came exactly one year after the climax of nationwide protests, which had erupted in July 2024 over a controversial quota system for public sector employment.
The demonstrations, led initially by university students, gained momentum and culminated on August 5 when crowds stormed Hasina’s official residence, hours before which the then-Prime Minister fled by helicopter and has since taken refuge in India.
Democratic Reforms
Yunus used the anniversary to highlight ongoing efforts toward democratic reforms. He emphasised the need for vigilance, warning that remnants of the previous regime and their allies remained intent on obstructing change.
“The defeated autocrats and their enablers are still at work, plotting to undo the progress we have made,” he cautioned.
He also underscored that discussions with political parties and civil society continue over essential reforms to Bangladesh’s political and electoral framework.
(With inputs from IBNS)
