[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

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CA reiterates stance on elections between December and June 2026: press secretary

Amid growing political unease, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has reiterated the possibility of parliamentary elections between December 2025 and June 2026 during the meetings with three key political parties, according to his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The official spoke to journalists followin

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA reiterates stance on elections between December and June 2026: press secretary

Published :
May 24, 2025 23:46
Updated :
May 24, 2025 23:46

Amid growing political unease, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has reiterated the possibility of parliamentary elections between December 2025 and June 2026 during the meetings with three key political parties, according to his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

The official spoke to journalists following the meetings around 10:15pm on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.

Earlier, the chief advisor held back-to-back separate meetings with the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The leaders of the parties told the media that they had presented the parties’ stances and demands at the meetings, along with the discussion over the prevailing situation, elections and reforms.​

 

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NCP urges CA to declare all elections under Sheikh Hasina’s rule illegal

The National Citizens' Party (NCP) has formally called upon Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to declare all national and local elections held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as unlawful. The demand was made during a meeting at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, on Satur

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

NCP urges CA to declare all elections under Sheikh Hasina’s rule illegal

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 24, 2025 23:28
Updated :
May 24, 2025 23:28

The National Citizens' Party (NCP) has formally called upon Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to declare all national and local elections held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as unlawful. The demand was made during a meeting at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, on Saturday night.

Speaking to journalists outside Jamuna at around 10:15 PM, NCP Convener Md Nahid Islam said, “Sheikh Hasina held elections under a fascist regime that systematically stripped citizens of their voting rights. Votes were cast the night before, and dummy candidates were used to manipulate results.”

Referring to previous elections as controversial and widely rejected by opposition parties at the time, Nahid added, “Those elections are now being revived in court, creating a fresh cycle of instability. To prevent further disorder, we urged the Chief Adviser to formally declare those past elections legally void.”

The NCP leader also expressed distrust in the current Election Commission (EC), stating that it lacks credibility. He called for its reformation and urged the Chief Adviser to facilitate local government elections under a newly reconstituted commission.

Furthermore, Nahid said the NCP has demanded the simultaneous announcement of a roadmap encompassing justice for the July massacre, implementation of the July Charter, and elections for a Constituent Assembly and a new legislative body.

The NCP delegation at the meeting comprised four senior leaders: Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, according to local media.

This meeting is part of a series of high-level consultations taking place amid speculation surrounding Chief Adviser Yunus’s potential resignation and the interim government’s strategy for national reform and electoral transition.​

 

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Will feel guilty if we can't arrange fair polls: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would feel guilty if a fair election cannot be arranged, stressing that they are now going through a war-like situation. "I got the courage as we all sat together. I would feel guilty if we can't hold a fair election," Press Secretary Sh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Will feel guilty if we can't arrange fair polls: Prof Yunus

Published :
May 25, 2025 23:13
Updated :
May 25, 2025 23:13

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would feel guilty if a fair election cannot be arranged, stressing that they are now going through a war-like situation.

"I got the courage as we all sat together. I would feel guilty if we can't hold a fair election," Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as conveying to the political leaders during two separate meetings, UNB reports.

Prof Yunus said all efforts are underway to destabilise the country after the ban imposed on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League, Alam said while briefing reporters in front of state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday night.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present.

After the meeting, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said the Chief Adviser told them that the country is in a big crisis due to Indian hegemony.

"For this, the Chief Adviser believes that the entire nation needs to remain united," Manna said.

Quoting the Chief Adviser, Press Secretary Alam also said Prof Yunus assured the political leaders that he would not allow anything that can harm the country’s interest until he is in this position.

Highlighting the importance of political consensus, the Chief Adviser said they must come out from division.

He said the political leaders extended full support to the Chief Adviser and assured him of standing beside him.

Responding to a question on election roadmap, Alam said the Chief Adviser reiterated that he will not go beyond June 30 next year. "You need to trust him."

Earlier, a group of political leaders, including Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed and Mahmudur Rahman Manna met the Chief Adviser and discussed pressing national issues including the upcoming national election and political reforms.

The meeting was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, where political leaders Mujahidul Islam Selim, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and AB party chief Mujibur Rahman Manju, among others, joined it.

Three advisers, including, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan were also present.

In the second phase, Maulana Sadiqur Rahman, Maulana Rezaul Karim, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Maulana Ahmed Abdul Quader, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, Maulana Manjurul Islam Affendi, Nurul Haque Noor, Maulana Musa Bin Izhar and Mufti Maulana Shakhawat Hossain Razi held talks with the Chief Adviser.

On Saturday, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party leaders met Prof Yunus separately.

Prof Yunus on Saturday reiterated his position on the next election, stressing that the government will not go beyond June next year.

"Prof Yunus is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time. He won't go beyond that," Alam told the reporters, referring to the next national election that is likely to be held between December 2025 to June 2026.

Alam also said the Chief Adviser conveyed the same to BNP when its leaders met the Chief Adviser at his residence.

The Chief Adviser repeatedly mentioned this December to June 30 next year and stressed that the Chief Adviser keeps his words.

When pressed further, Alam said June 30 is a specific date, and the Chief Adviser will not go beyond that.

Alam said the political leaders expressed their confidence in his (CA) leadership and all the three meetings were held in a friendly environment on Saturday.

The interim government on Saturday said it will take the necessary decisions together with the people of the country if the government’s “autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations” are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable.

“If - under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy - the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people,” said the Council of Advisers in a statement after its unscheduled meeting.

Despite all obstacles, the Council of Advisers said, the interim government continues to fulfill its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests.

“The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising,” said the Council of Advisers.​

 

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Tarique Rahman calls for election within December

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman expected to see a free and fair national election under the interim government.

en.prothomalo.com

Tarique Rahman calls for election within December
People of the country are not subjects of the government’s mercy, and the government must fulfil the people’s legitimate demands, he added.

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 25 May 2025, 20: 41

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman addresses an event joining virtually from London.File photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman expected to see a free and fair national election under the interim government.

He said a BNP delegation met with chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday, and reiterated its position that the national election should be held by next December.

Tarique Rahman made these remarks while addressing a discussion marking the 18th founding anniversary of National People’s Party (NPP) at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in Kakrail, Dhaka on Sunday, virtually joining from London.

The BNP acting chairman further said that the people of the country want to see a free, and fair national election under this government immediately.

Calling for constructive criticism of the government, Tarique Rahman stated that whether it is an elected government, an interim government, or a caretaker government; citizens must continue to criticise the government constructively.

People of the country are not subjects of the government’s mercy, and the government must fulfil the people’s legitimate demands, he added.

The BNP acting chairman pointed out that domestic and foreign investment has become stagnant because of the absence of a stable democratic government in the country.

According to him, a sense of unease is arising among people from different professions and strata over the uncertain political and economic situation. As a result, people from various walks of life are taking to the streets everyday with their demands. But unfortunately it is true that there is no one to listen to their demands at this moment.

Tarique Rahman thinks that the interim government created a deadlock in revenue collection by imposing reforms on the National Board of Revenue (NBR) ahead of passing the national budget.

He said this is not a good thing for the economy. Everyone believes a democratically accountable government can play the most effective role to deal with such a situation.

Saying that reform is a continuous process, Tarique Rahman added there is no such thing as small or large scale reform. Reform is a continuous necessity for the state and politics. However, practical reforms are more necessary than theoretical or textbook reforms.

While the interim government may not face a moral or political legitimacy crisis, it is not accountable to the people. So, on moral grounds, the government should clearly communicate its specific plans to the public.

No plan can be implemented effectively or sustainably if the people are kept in the dark or political parties are left in uncertainty, he added.​

 

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Prof Yunus for making people election-centric with adequate awareness

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the people of the country need to be made election-centric as they must be made aware that no one can snatch the ballot box. "We must bring discipline, and we, taking the people together, must hold safe elections," said Prof Yunus who will open the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Prof Yunus for making people election-centric with adequate awareness
UNB
Published :
May 26, 2025 23:02
Updated :
May 26, 2025 23:02

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the people of the country need to be made election-centric as they must be made aware that no one can snatch the ballot box.

"We must bring discipline, and we, taking the people together, must hold safe elections," said Prof Yunus who will open the second round of talks with political parties on reform work in the first week of June.

The first round of talks with political parties by the Consensus Commission ended on May 19.

The decision to hold the second round of talks was made at a meeting of the National Consensus Commission held at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Prof Yunus, head of the Commission, chaired the meeting where its members informed the Chief Adviser about the latest progress in the talks with political parties.

The Chief Adviser suggested increasing public awareness by involving civil society and grassroots organisations in the reform process and elections, along with political parties.

"Bangladesh that we got after such a big uprising should not remain the same Bangladesh," Prof Yunus said.

The meeting discussed the formation of an independent commission to investigate the role of those involved in irregularities in various elections in the past.

Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz said every political party has already expressed their views on this issue.

Commission member Ayub Bhuiyan called for the immediate formation of the Public Administration Reform Implementation Commission.

Judicial Reform Commission representative Emdadul Haque called on the Chief Adviser to ensure that the commission formed to appoint Supreme Court judges based on the consensus of political parties can work transparently.

Anti-Corruption Reform Commission representative Dr Iftekharuzzaman called for the formulation of a roadmap to implement the recommendations of the reform commissions formed on media, labour, local government, women and health issues outside the six initially formed commissions.​

 

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Polls delay to deepen crisis, says BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said that the country’s ongoing crisis would deepen with any further delay in restoring the democratic order through a credible electoral process.

www.newagebd.net

Polls delay to deepen crisis, says BNP
Staff Correspondent 27 May, 2025, 00:45

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said that the country’s ongoing crisis would deepen with any further delay in restoring the democratic order through a credible electoral process.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the founding anniversary of Dhaka Reporters Unity, he said that media freedom and democratic order were deeply interconnected.

Khasru observed that pressure on the media tended to increase as democratic structures weakened.

He further said that meaningful reforms could take place only under a government that was genuinely accountable to the people.

Neither policy statements nor administrative changes can ensure fundamental rights — including media freedom — without a democratic framework, Khasru commented

‘Democracy and the media work hand in hand. As long as democratic institutions remain weak or absent, pressure on the media will increase and its ability to serve the public interest will be undermined,’ he said.

The BNP leader highlighted the importance of constructive interaction between politicians and the media, saying that such engagement was essential for upholding democracy and ensuring national prosperity.

He said that politicians must demonstrate tolerance and refrain from reacting angrily to media criticism.

Instead, politicians should set an example by allowing the media to operate freely and without obstruction, Khasru suggested.​

 

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ERD, EC, UN join hands to support inclusive, credible polls in Bangladesh

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Election Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement on Wednesday to launch the "BALLOT" project, a three-year-long initiative to support Bangladesh in conducting transparent, inclusive,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ERD, EC, UN join hands to support inclusive, credible polls in Bangladesh

UNB
Published :
May 28, 2025 23:05
Updated :
May 28, 2025 23:05

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Election Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement on Wednesday to launch the "BALLOT" project, a three-year-long initiative to support Bangladesh in conducting transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections during a pivotal political transition.

The agreement was signed at ERD office in Dhaka by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission and Stefan Liller, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, in the presence of the UN Wing Chief KAM Sohel, additional secretary, Dr Susan Vize, country representative, UNESCO, Gitanjali Singh, UN women representative and other senior officials from ERD, EC and the UN.

The BALLOT Project is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission, promote voter education and civic engagement, support legal and electoral reforms, and enhance safeguards against misinformation and electoral violence.

"We welcome this partnership with UNDP at a crucial juncture for Bangladesh's democratic journey," said Md Shahriar.

"ERD is committed to facilitating effective coordination between national institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to ensure that this project delivers on its goals, strengthening electoral integrity and upholding the will of the people," he added.

Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission, noted, "The BALLOT Project comes at a crucial time, offering BEC the technical and institutional support we need to deliver elections that are transparent, inclusive, and trusted by all citizens."

"With the BALLOT Project, UNDP is proud to stand by Bangladesh in advancing democratic governance," said Liller.

"This initiative is not just about technical support, it's a platform for strengthening institutions, empowering voters, and building trust in the electoral process. As Bangladesh moves forward, inclusive and credible elections are key to ensuring long-term peace and stability," said Liller.

The BALLOT Project (2025-2027) is a three-year initiative structured in two phases.

The first phase focuses on immediate electoral support, including technical preparations and voter outreach.

The second phase aims to institutionalise reforms and strengthen democratic resilience beyond the upcoming election cycle.

The project is being implemented in partnership with BEC, UN Women, UNESCO, and civil society organisations.​