Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has announced a tentative timeline for national elections, aiming to hold them between late 2025 and the first half of 2026, Bloomberg reports.
This marks the first public roadmap for elections since the country experienced significant political upheaval earlier this year.
In a televised Victory Day address on Monday, Yunus stated that holding the election by the end of 2025 is contingent upon achieving a political consensus and implementing minimal reforms along with an accurate voter list. He acknowledged pressure, particularly from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to expedite the election process
While previously urging patience and prioritizing electoral reforms, Yunus now anticipates an additional six months to implement the recommendations of the Election Reform Commission. He emphasized that “Everything takes time.”
Yunus, a Nobel laureate, assumed the role of chief adviser (equivalent to prime minister) in August following widespread student-led protests that led to the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The timely establishment of an elected government holds significant importance for Bangladesh, which is actively seeking increased financial support from international creditors, including China and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to address dwindling foreign currency reserves.
