DHAKA, August 5: Bangladesh’s interim government has announced that the country’s next general election will be held in February 2026, aiming to turn the day of voting into a national celebration akin to Eid.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus made the declaration in a televised address to the nation on the first anniversary of the July Uprising—the student-led movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s transition back to an elected government. Yunus said the administration is launching full-scale institutional and public preparations to ensure the upcoming election is remembered for its transparency, peace, and public enthusiasm.
“We want to make the election day like an Eid festival,” Yunus said. “Take your children to the polling centres so the next generation understands the value of civic rights.”
Voting Before Ramadan
The election will be held before Ramadan, which is expected to begin around February 17, 2026. That puts the likely polling date in the first half of February.
Yunus urged political parties and citizens alike to embrace the process, stating that no eligible voter will be left out this time. He called the upcoming election the “final chapter” of the interim government’s mandate and promised to hand over power to an elected government in a peaceful and inclusive transition.
Background: From Uprising to Transition
The announcement comes amid ongoing reforms launched in the aftermath of the 2024 July Uprising, during which mass protests forced the Awami League out of power after 16 years. In response, the interim government established commissions for political reform, justice, and a National Consensus Commission to build broad-based agreement on the country’s democratic future.
Yunus noted that more than 30 political parties have taken part in weeks of dialogue, culminating in the July Charter, which outlines steps toward restoring constitutional governance.
Response from Political Parties
The election timeline was welcomed by major opposition parties including BNP, Nagorik Oikya, and Ganosamhati Andolan, which had been pushing for February polls following a June meeting between BNP leader Tarique Rahman and Prof Yunus in London.
However, groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have called for more reforms and accountability measures before committing to the election roadmap.
Safeguards, Technology, and Participation
Prof Yunus warned of internal and external groups trying to derail the democratic process, but stressed that the government is deploying real-time monitoring tools, including a new public feedback app, to ensure transparency during the elections.
He also vowed to guarantee safety and access for women and first-time voters, as well as expatriate Bangladeshis, who will be able to cast their ballots from abroad for the first time.
“The first-time voters, and even those who were denied the right to vote for the past 15 years, will finally get their say,” he said.
Economic and Legal Reforms Underway
Beyond the political timeline, Yunus outlined significant steps taken by his government, including:
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Halving food inflation from 14% and targeting 6% by December
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Receiving record foreign investments of over Tk 16,500 crore in six months
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Recovering laundered assets through international legal partnerships
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Repealing the Digital Security Act and declaring internet access a fundamental right
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Launching judicial and police reforms
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Assigning the Bangladesh Navy to improve port operations in Chattogram
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Expanding overseas job opportunities, particularly in Japan
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Promising salary increases and education sector reform
Yunus concluded with a direct call to unity: “Let us take a vow on this July Mass Uprising Day that we will never again allow this nation to be divided.”