Bangladesh: Political parties rejected Muhammad Yunus’s extended deadline, demand election by December India news
Dhaka: At least 20 political parties, including BNP of former PM Khalida Zia, on Monday dismissed the extended deadline for the conduct of Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’s national election, demanding that it should be held by December.However, sources said three political parties, including fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP launched by Nahid Islam, who led the Sheikh Hasina movement last year, are allegedly supporting Yunus’s time of voting between December 2025 and June 2026. BNP member Salahuddin Ahmed said after the National Conscious Commission’s dialogue with Yunas, “There is not a single legitimate reason to advance the national election after DEC and BNP expects a ‘neutral role’ from Muhammad Yunus in taking final decisions.” This was the second round of dialogue between political parties and Yumns-headed interim government-which was pending since last year after the fall of Hasina-led government.In Monday’s meeting, all but three political parties have demanded election by DEC, the chief Nurul Haq of Gono Oddar Council said.Yunus expressed optimism about finalizing the ‘July Charter’ widely accepted – an agreement created through collective understanding among the parties after the expulsion of the Hasina government. Salahuddin hoped that Younus would consider DEC for the election. He also argued that the Commission has already taken significant time and is possible at the end of the year. He said, “Full consensus may not be possible … We will support the reforms that benefit the nation and ensure to include everyone,” he said.
