DHAKA– Bangladesh’s interim government has confirmed that the next general election will be held no later than February 15, 2026, despite growing divisions among the country’s political parties.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, told reporters Friday in Sreepur Upazila of Magura district that the electoral schedule will not be altered. “If there is a party, there will be differences of opinion. Otherwise, why are there different parties? But we are saying again, the elections will be held by February 15,” Alam said, according to local daily Jugantor.
Reiterating that the election timetable will not change, Alam warned that attempts to disrupt the process would fail. “There is no possibility of postponing the election. Any ill attempt to disrupt this process will not succeed,” he stated.
Alam added that the February polls would shape the country’s political landscape for years to come. “This election will not only determine the future of governance but will also lay the groundwork for subsequent elections and the overall political system of Bangladesh,” he said.
Earlier this month, Yunus underscored that the elections must move forward as scheduled, cautioning that any delay could threaten national stability. He delivered the warning during meetings with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
“There is no alternative to election. If anyone thinks of any other alternative, that would be disastrous for the nation,” Yunus was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
Disagreements persist among the major parties. BNP has insisted that voting take place within the announced timeframe, while Jamaat and NCP have demanded implementation of the July Charter reforms before ballots are cast.
Bangladesh has been in political limbo since the Awami League government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted during violent protests last year. The interim government, led by Yunus, has pledged to restore democratic stability through next year’s elections. (Source: IANS)
