Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said the next parliamentary elections will be held in February 2026.
“On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner asking the Election Commission to arrange the national elections in February 2026, before the next Ramadan,” he said.
The Chief Adviser made the remarks while delivering his televised address before the nation marking the July Uprising Day.
The Chief Adviser sought prayers from all so that all the citizens of this country can successfully move forward in building a ‘New Bangladesh’ by holding the polls in a festive mood.
“We, on behalf of the government, will provide all kinds of support and cooperation so that the election can be conducted in a fair, peaceful and festive manner,” he added.
Prof. Yunus asked all to start making mental preparations and institutional arrangements from tomorrow to complete all the arrangements so that this election can make memorable in the country’s history in terms of joy and celebration, peace and order, voters turnout, and cordiality.
“I would like to say a few words about the voters in the polls. This time, we want to ensure arrangements for expatriate voters so that they can vote,” he said.
He said the major reason why Bangladesh, which was completely devastated economically, has been able to turn around so quickly is the historic contribution of the remittance fighters.
The Election Commission is taking preparations to ensure their participation in the election, the Chief Adviser said.
He said the government wants to ensure that women voters can freely cast their votes with joy and enthusiasm everywhere in the country.
“This time, we will take all measures to ensure that women voters rush to polling centres,” he said.
He said due to the deprivation of their voting rights, Prof Yunus said citizens did not able to vote for the last 15 years.
“In this election, we want to vote with great joy along with our pending joy. The voters who will be voting for the first time in this election will go to the polling stations amid various festivities to make this day memorable for them,” the Chief Adviser said.
Among them, there will be new female voters and new male voters, he said, adding that among them, there will be such voters who could not vote even once in their lives.
“We want to make the election day like an Eid festival. There will enjoy the joy of voting among all this time. All of you go to the polling stations with your children,” he said.
He said all should go to polling centres to uphold the great joy of exercising civil rights to future generations.
The Chief Adviser urged all to decide in advance how the voting system in their areas can be beautiful and joyful. “The foundation for building a new Bangladesh will be laid in this election. Prepare for it,” he added.
He said the reason behind all the major conflicts and violence occurred in the history of the country so far was flawed elections. The July uprising has shown what the ultimate consequences are if any party comes to power through flawed elections, he added.
“We do not want to repeat any of the stigmatized chapters of history,” Prof Yunus said.
In this connection, h said all are aware that vested quarter is eager to halt the elections and they are out at both home and abroad to disrupt the democratic progress of the country.
“We must remain alert so that they do not get any opportunity to make the elections controversial. Keep it in mind that the defeated forces will try to rise up time and again until the elections. But if a free, fair and impartial election is successfully arranged, there will be absolute defeat of the evil forces,” he said.
The Chief Adviser said they will take the help of technology to constantly seek advice on election-related matters.
“For this, we are taking an initiative to create an app. This app will be launched soon. You will let us know all your suggestions, all your opinions, all your fears and initiatives through this app,” he said.
“We will inform the appropriate authorities and take action to resolve the problems.”
Prof Yunus made an appeal to political parties to include the issues of youth in their election manifestos, pledges and plans.
“Women should not be left out. Remember, the youth who have changed Bangladesh also have the power to change the world,” he said. “Take initiatives from your party to give them that opportunity.”
He said no one should have any objection to the fact that everyone will vote for their preferred candidate safely in the next election.
“We all will respect everyone’s preference – this should be our promise,” he said.
The Chief Adviser said February is not far away while the voting day will approach fast.
“For many years, none of us could vote. This time, we all will vote. None will be left out. Let everyone be able to say that I cast my vote to set the country on the path of building a new Bangladesh. The country is able to set out on that path with my vote,” he said.
Prof Yunus said on July Mass Uprising Day, his appeal to all citizens is to pass successfully the first big test of building a “new Bangladesh”.
