National election in April next: Prof Yunus

"After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026," he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening.

Based on this announcement, Prof Yunus, the Election Commission, will provide a detailed roadmap for the election at an appropriate time.

He said they want an election that will satisfy the souls of the martyrs of the uprising and bring peace to their souls.

"We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections. May this be remembered by the nation as the most free, fair and impartial election," Prof Yunus said.

After a century and a half, a truly representative parliament will be formed in the country, he assured.

A huge group of young people will get the opportunity to vote for the first time in their lives, Prof Yunus said.

He said they are committed to the nation to take all necessary steps towards these goals.

Prof Yunus appealed to the people of the country to obtain specific commitments from all political parties and candidates in their areas to approve the reforms on which consensus was reached in the first session of the next parliament without any cuts.

"You will obtain a promise that you will never compromise on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity of Bangladesh and will not sell the country's interests to any external force," he said.

Prof Yunus said he knows that there is great interest among political parties and the public to know when the next national election will be held.

"I have repeatedly said this election will be held between December and June next year," he said, adding that the government is doing whatever is necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period.

"It is important to remember here that the main reason for all the times Bangladesh has plunged into deep crises since independence was flawed elections," said the Chief Adviser.

Through repeated accumulations of power through flawed election processes, a political party turned into a barbaric fascist, he said.

"Those who organise such elections are identified as criminals by the nation. The party that comes to power through such elections is also hated by the people," Prof Yunus said.

A major responsibility of this government is to organise an election in a fair, festive, peaceful and massively participated atmosphere, Prof Yunus said.

To organise an election so that the country does not fall into a new crisis in the future, institutional reform is the most important, he said.

"If good governance can not be ensured in the institutions that are directly involved in elections, then all the sacrifices of the students and the public will be in vain," he said.

Prof Yunus said they took responsibility on the basis of these three mandates: reform, justice and elections.

"In that regard, I believe that we will be able to reach an acceptable point in terms of reform and justice by the next Eid-ul-Fitr. Especially in the matter of the trial of crimes against humanity - which is our collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July mass uprising - we will be able to see visible progress," he said.

Prof Yunus said they will be able to implement the mandate that the people have entrusted to them, even if it is minimal, reports UNB. 

"In that regard, we have discussed with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history," Prof Yunus said.