Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday reaffirmed that the next national election will be held no later than June next year, even as the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami called for a clearer roadmap – with the BNP demanding polls by December and Jamaat proposing a timeline no later than February or just after Ramadan.
“Prof Yunus repeatedly said election will be held between December and 30 June. He won’t go beyond that. He is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters after the dialogue with BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday night.
He added that the chief adviser is expected to deliver the same message to eight more political parties during meetings scheduled for today.
The BNP, led by senior leader Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, demanded the elections be held within December and called for the resignation of three key advisers from the interim cabinet, citing concerns over government neutrality.
The party emphasised that only a clearly defined and timely roadmap, coupled with advisory council restructuring, can ensure a free and fair election.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, while not demanding any resignations, pressed for a defined election date and visible reform measures.
Roadmap
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman proposed two possible timelines – mid-February or just after Ramadan – contingent on the pace of reforms, and warned against holding polls without meaningful changes that address public grievances.
Meanwhile, the NCP pushed for a more expansive agenda, urging the government to integrate election timing with broader reform and justice measures, including the annulment of all elections held under the Awami League and the implementation of the July Charter.
They also called for local government elections after the reconstitution of the Election Commission ahead of national polls, and reiterated their support for Professor Yunus, urging him to uphold the mandate of the July mass uprising.
However, talking to the media, BNP sources later expressed disappointment with the chief adviser’s response to their demands, indicating that the party would announce its next course of action within a day or two.
‘Parties expressed confidence in CA’
The chief adviser’s press secretary said the political leaders expressed their confidence in the chief adviser’s leadership and all the three meetings were held in a friendly environment.
Shafiqul also mentioned that leaders of the NCP demanded local government polls and to cancel all elections held during the fascist Awami League regime.
BNP calls for Dec election roadmap, removal of 3 advisers
BNP has demanded that Chief Adviser Prof Yunus announce a roadmap for holding parliamentary elections within December this year.
At the same time, the party has demanded restructuring the Advisory Council of the interim government with resignation of three of its members – National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam – for the sake of ensuring the neutrality of the government.
They came up with the demands at the meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday night. The meeting, led by Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, began at 7:35pm. The other members of the delegation were BNP standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed.
“BNP has been demanding a clear national electoral roadmap from the very beginning to bring democracy to Bangladesh. In order to maintain the neutrality of the government, the Advisory Council must be restructured by removing controversial advisers in order to hold fair, impartial and free elections,” Khandaker Mosharraf told reporters in front of Jamuna after the meeting.
He said the BNP demanded that the election-related reforms be completed immediately and a roadmap be provided quickly for holding the national elections by December.
Reading out the summary of the meeting, the BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh believe that the main responsibility of the interim government is to quickly complete the process of transitioning Bangladesh to democracy through fair and impartial elections.
“We believe that delaying the elections for any reason will prepare the field for the return of dictatorship to the nation. The responsibility for this will lie with the current government and those associated with them,” he added.
He said every leader and activist of BNP is the most affected victims of the fascist Awami League rule. That is why they demand trial of the Awami League most vociferously. “If this process of justice remains incomplete in any way, BNP will complete it through an independent judiciary if the party is voted to power.”
Mosharraf further said BNP has never asked for the resignation of the chief adviser, rather it has been providing full support to this government since day one.
Salahuddin Ahmed said they demanded the resignation of National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam during the meeting with the chief adviser.
“We have told it verbally and in writing. They didn’t tell us about their decision specifically. We will give our reaction after listening to the press secretary’s statement about their decision,” he added.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said they discussed holding an election before December this year.
Abdul Moyeen Khan said during the discussion they conveyed a message to the chief adviser that after announcement of the election schedule, all anarchies and deterioration of the law and order situation of the country will be stopped.
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan were also present at the meeting.
While addressing a programme held in the capital on Saturday, BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan rejected the universal call for unity in facing the evolving challenges.
“Why does the country take a worsening turn within a span of nine months? There is no alternative but a democratic transition for the 18 crore people. So we are against all obligatory unity,” he said.
The BNP policymaker said no free and fair elections have been held in the country over the last 15 years, which has obstructed the country’s journey towards the right direction.
“Bangladesh was under dictatorship for 15 years. So, our only solution is that now there must be a transition to democracy in Bangladesh,” he said.
BNP did not commit any offence by seeking the national election immediately, he said, adding that his party wants qualitative change in the country and the government has to fix the agenda on a priority basis.
He also urged the government to undertake initiatives by giving the first priority to the country’s democracy, human rights and national election.
Talking to reporters at a programme in the capital, another standing committee member of BNP, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, said, “In the current context of Bangladesh, the main issue is how [the country] will move forward, how we will quickly return to a democratic order.”
“Returning to a democratic order is not possible without elections. Elections are a key issue, and I am sure we will discuss this.”
Jamaat for mid-February or post-Ramadan polls
After the meeting with the chief adviser, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman told reporters, “We have stated from our side that the government should make clear two issues – one is when the election will be held, and another is reform and trial.”
He said the chief adviser said that the next parliamentary election will be held between December and June, but he did not specify the time frame. “That’s why some parties are making their demands. Keeping confidence in the chief adviser, we gave him a proposal.”
Shafiqur Rahman said, “We have proposed two possible time frames – either in mid-February, 2026 if all the reforms are done, or immediately after Ramadan if reforms take a bit longer.”
“If a bit more time is needed to complete the necessary reforms, then time can be extended up to after the next Ramadan. However, we are not in favour of extending the timeline beyond that,” he added.
He said reforms and justice must be visible before the elections. “If elections are held without reforms, they will not be able to meet the expectations of the people. Again, this government will not be able to implement all the reforms. The government has only initiated five reforms. These should be resolved satisfactorily.”
The Jamaat ameer noted that for the past 16 years, the people of this country have been deprived of their right to vote. “If elections are held after the necessary reforms, people will no longer be denied their voting rights.”
“Through reform and trial [of the fascist], we want a free election which will ensure a level-playing field for all the candidates. Aspirants will not have to face conspiracies. Besides, there will be no influence of black money and muscle power in the polls,” he said.
Replying to a question, Shafiqur Rahman said they didn’t want the resignation of any adviser of the interim government.
He said in light of the unusual situation that has prevailed in the country over the past few days, the chief adviser expressed his dissatisfaction during the meeting.
“This reflected a kind of uncertainty in the country. The chief adviser was displeased as a leader of a political party (Ishraq Hossain) was staging demonstration at one place (Kakrail) and another party (NCP) in another place (in front of the Election Commission) on two separate demands,” he added.
NCP seeks comprehensive elections roadmap, reforms, justice
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has sought a comprehensive roadmap addressing elections, reforms and justice from the interim government.
After the meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, NCP convener Nahid Islam said, “Our focus was on three integrated issues — trial of July massacre, reform, July Charter and Constituent Assembly elections — for which we urged a structured roadmap.”
Mentioning that they have extended their full support to Prof Muhammad Yunus, he said “We have called him to take any decision only after fulfilling the commitment of the July mass uprising for which he assumed office.”
He said The NCP delegation also demanded that all elections held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure be declared illegal, calling for this declaration to be made through legal procedures.
Nahid said that in the past, Sheikh Hasina held elections through a fascist regime, where people’s voting rights were taken away. There were night votes and dummy candidates voted.
Stating that the elections during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure were questionable and the opposition political parties rejected these elections at the time, he said, “A situation is being created by taking those elections to court again. To avoid that chaos, those previous elections should be formally declared illegal.”
The NCP chief further said they also demanded for holding local government elections before the national elections.
“We were assured that the July Charter could be introduced within the month of July,” Nahid Islam added.
A six-member NCP delegation, led by Convener Nahid Islam and including Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, attended the meeting, which started around 9:30pm.
Eight more political parties will sit in talks with the Chief Adviser today to discuss the current political situation of the country.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh will hold the meet at Jamuna at 5:45 pm on Sunday.
In addition, leaders of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Amar Bangladesh Party, Jamiate Ulema-e-Islam, Khilafat Majlis, Gana Adhikar Parishad, and Nejam-e-Islami Party will participate in the meeting.
CA Yunus not resigning; we are not leaving either: Planning adviser
Amid ongoing political uncertainty, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has reaffirmed that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has not expressed any intention to resign.
Following the closed-door meeting of the interim government’s Advisory Council, Mahmud stated, “The chief adviser is staying with us. He has not said he will resign, and none of the other advisers are leaving either. We have come here to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to us.”
According to Mahmud, the meeting focused on identifying and addressing the challenges hindering their ability to fulfill their duties. “We discussed the obstacles coming from various sectors and tried to identify their sources,” he said. Emphasising the gravity of their roles, Mahmud added, “This is not a responsibility we can simply walk away from. The future of the country heavily depends on the tasks assigned to us.”
Statement from the Advisory Council
An unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council was held on Saturday, following the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council. The two-hour long meeting included detailed discussions on three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government – elections, reforms, and justice.
Presided over by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the meeting took place at the Planning Commission at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Despite all obstacles, the interim government continues to fulfill its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. However, if—under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy—the performance of these duties becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people, said a statement from the chief adviser’s office after the meeting.
The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising. But if the government’s autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable, it will, with the people, take the necessary steps, it added.
The council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public.
The Advisory Council believes that a broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise a free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country, reads the statement.
On this matter, the interim government will listen to the views of political parties and clarify its own position.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
