‘Bangladesh elections before Ramadan’: Muhammad Yunus announced the election in February 2026; here are the details

Bangladesh’s interim chief advisor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus announced on Tuesday that the next general elections in the country would be ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in February 2026. He announced the nation during his address through the state’s television, BTV and radio, so that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was dropped. “On behalf of the interim government, I will write to the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting that the Election Commission conducts a national election before the next Ramadan in February 2026,” Yunus said.The announcement is a change from his earlier indication that elections will be held in April. The revised time -line comes after consultation with major political parties, which included the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who was chaired by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who called for the earlier elections.He said, “We will start mental preparations and institutional arrangements from tomorrow to fulfill all the arrangements so that this year’s election is memorable in the history of the country in terms of happiness and celebration, peace and order, voter voting and harmony.”Yunus urged political parties to ensure that youth and women were not excluded from their manifesto or future regime plans. “Remember, the youth who change Bangladesh also have the power to change the world,” he said.July announcement unveiled:Earlier today, the Interim government also formally released the “July announcement”, which is a 26-point document, which is the outline of proposed reforms in governance, constitutional and political issues. Top leaders of political groups such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) were present during the official unveiling at the Bangladesh Parliament complex, which miss the rebel anniversary.The 1972 Constitution’s declaration after the Freedom War against Pakistan in 1971 criticized the reforms made in 1972 with the will of the people.The July announcement said, “While the post -independence Awami League government failed to reduce people’s aspirations due to weaknesses in drafting processes and weaknesses in the structure of the Constitution, as well as with its improper application.” It also condemned the administration of Sheikh Hasina, alleging converting Bangladesh into a fascist, mafia and the state failed through alleged powerist rule and human rights violations.“Whereas, during the rule of Sheikh Hasina, under his very leadership, an extreme force that people were anti -people were autocratic and Bangladesh was converted into a fascist, mafia and unsuccessful kingdom against human rights and thus tarnished the international image of Bangladesh,” said this.The document officially recognized the 2024 rebellion and proposed that the July announcement be included in a improved constitution.Tight Safety and Public Festival:To mark the anniversary of Hasina’s expulsion, tens of thousands gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The government declared the day a national holiday. Security was increased in the capital, with police posts and patrolling in sensitive areas.Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years, fled to India after massive protests in August last year. His party, Awami League, has since been banned by the interim administration, and its registration has been canceled by the Election Commission, effectively preventing it from contesting elections in future elections until the ban is lifted.Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern over the progress of the interim government on human rights. , Meenakshi Ganguly, director of HRW Deputy Asia, said, “Thousands of people opposed fatal violence a year ago when they opposed Sheikh Hasina’s derogatory rule to create a right-rivical democracy. He warned that the interim leadership is struggling to balance security improvements with pressure from fundamentalists and rival political groups.As the nation reflects the events of the previous year, Bangladesh lives on high alert. The month of August is also the anniversary of the murder of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of the country and the father of Hasina in 1975.