[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Tk 29.56 billion allocated for Election Commission in proposed budget

The proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has allocated Tk 29.56 billion (2,956 crore) for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat -- more than double the Tk 12.30 billion (1,230 crore) earmarked in the current fiscal year. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tk 29.56 billion allocated for Election Commission in proposed budget

Published :
Jun 02, 2025 20:56
Updated :
Jun 02, 2025 20:56

The proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has allocated Tk 29.56 billion (2,956 crore) for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat -- more than double the Tk 12.30 billion (1,230 crore) earmarked in the current fiscal year.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk 7.9 trillion budget on Monday through state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar, UNB reports.

Of the total allocation for the EC, Tk 27.27 billion (2,727 crore) has been designated for operating expenses, while Tk 2.29 billion (229 crore) will go towards development activities.

The operating budget marks a significant increase from the current allocation of Tk 7.93 billion (793 crore), which was later revised to Tk 7.16 billion (716 crore) for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The sharp rise is widely believed to be aimed at covering the costs associated with the upcoming national election.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, during a recent visit to Japan, said the next national election will be held between December and June 2026. As such, the 12th parliamentary election is expected to be conducted during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Earlier, the EC had requested approximately Tk 28 billion (2,800 crore) to conduct the next general election and ensure law and order during the polls.

The budget for the 12th general election, held on January 7, 2024, was Tk 22.76 billion (2,276 crore), while Tk 7 billion (700 crore) was allocated for the 11th general election held on December 30, 2018.​

 

[Saif]

Govt resorting to ploys to delay election: Rizvi

'Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Prof Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics.'

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Govt resorting to ploys to delay election: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today accused the interim government of "resorting to tactics" to delay the national election, ignoring the hopes and aspirations of people.

"Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Prof Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfil and Eid gift distribution programme in the city's Uttara, organised by Rashid Group to mark the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said the interim government, led by Yunus, is set to complete one year in office this August, yet no visible reforms have so far been carried out.

He urged the government to implement the necessary reforms promptly in a bid to hold the election by December, in line with the wishes of the people.

The BNP leader also said the people of the country are eagerly waiting for the election to choose their representatives, as they have long been deprived of their right to vote.

Later, Rizvi distributed Eid gifts to several hundred low-income group of people.

Earlier at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said neither party acting chairman Tarique Rahman's wife Zubaida Rahman nor their only daughter Zaima Rahman has any Facebook accounts.

"We are deeply concerned to notice that a criminal syndicate is intentionally creating fake and false Facebook accounts in the names of Dr Zubaida Rahman and Barrister Zaima Rahman, posting misleading and fabricated comments. The fraudsters are using AI to create and circulate fabricated images and videos of them on social media," he said.

He strongly condemned and protested such despicable activities on the social media.

Rizvi called for the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for creating the fake accounts in the names of the Zia family members.​

 

[Saif]

No objection to election timeline if key reforms implemented: NCP

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said it will have no objection to holding the national election by April next year if key reforms and constitutional changes are ensured by the time. “If effective measures are taken within this timeframe to implement the July Charter, the July Declaratio

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

No objection to election timeline if key reforms implemented: NCP

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 06, 2025 23:37
Updated :
Jun 07, 2025 00:41

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said it will have no objection to holding the national election by April next year if key reforms and constitutional changes are ensured by the time.

“If effective measures are taken within this timeframe to implement the July Charter, the July Declaration, and key structural reforms, we will have no objection to the proposed election schedule,” NCP convenor Nahid Islam told BSS.

Nahid said, “We believe that if the July Declaration and July Charter are fulfilled and a timeline for the election is announced, it would meet the nation’s expectations”.

“At the same time, if reforms and justice are made visible to ensure a level playing field and neutrality of the administration, we have no objection to the government’s declaration to hold elections by April next year,” he added.

Nahid, however, said, “The reforms must be visible before the election is organised, and in line with national expectations, a Constituent Assembly election must be arranged to implement a new constitution.”

The NCP reaction came after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus this evening announced that the next national election will take place in the first half of April 2026.​

 

[Saif]

National election in April next year: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced that the next national election will be held some day in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress. "After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance an

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

National election in April next year: Prof Yunus

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 06, 2025 19:59
Updated :
Jun 07, 2025 00:45

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday announced that the next national election will be held some day in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress.

"After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026," he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening.

Based on this announcement, Prof Yunus, the Election Commission, will provide a detailed roadmap for the election at an appropriate time, according to a UNB report.

He said they want an election that will satisfy the souls of the martyrs of the uprising and bring peace to their souls.

"We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections. May this be remembered by the nation as the most free, fair and impartial election," Prof Yunus said.

After a century and a half, a truly representative parliament will be formed in the country, he assured.

A huge group of young people will get the opportunity to vote for the first time in their lives, Prof Yunus said.

He said they are committed to the nation to take all necessary steps towards these goals.

Prof Yunus appealed to the people of the country to obtain specific commitments from all political parties and candidates in their areas to approve the reforms on which consensus was reached in the first session of the next parliament without any cuts.

"You will obtain a promise that you will never compromise on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity of Bangladesh and will not sell the country's interests to any external force," he said.

Prof Yunus said he knows that there is great interest among political parties and the public to know when the next national election will be held.

"I have repeatedly said this election will be held between December and June next year," he said, adding that the government is doing whatever is necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period.

"It is important to remember here that the main reason for all the times Bangladesh has plunged into deep crises since independence was flawed elections," said the Chief Adviser.

Through repeated accumulations of power through flawed election processes, a political party turned into a barbaric fascist, he said.

"Those who organise such elections are identified as criminals by the nation. The party that comes to power through such elections is also hated by the people," Prof Yunus said.

A major responsibility of this government is to organise an election in a fair, festive, peaceful and massively participated atmosphere, Prof Yunus said.

To organise an election so that the country does not fall into a new crisis in the future, institutional reform is the most important, he said.

"If good governance can not be ensured in the institutions that are directly involved in elections, then all the sacrifices of the students and the public will be in vain," he said.

Prof Yunus said they took responsibility on the basis of these three mandates: reform, justice and elections.

"In that regard, I believe that we will be able to reach an acceptable point in terms of reform and justice by the next Eid-ul-Fitr. Especially in the matter of the trial of crimes against humanity - which is our collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July mass uprising - we will be able to see visible progress," he said.

Prof Yunus said they will be able to implement the mandate that the people have entrusted to them, even if it is minimal.

"In that regard, we have discussed with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history," Prof Yunus said.​

 

[Saif]

Jamaat expresses satisfaction over CA’s polls roadmap announcement

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed satisfaction with the announcement of the election roadmap by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation on Friday evening. In the televised address, the Chief Adviser said the next general election would be held on some day

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Jamaat expresses satisfaction over CA’s polls roadmap announcement

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jun 06, 2025 22:50
Updated :
Jun 07, 2025 00:43

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed satisfaction with the announcement of the election roadmap by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation on Friday evening.

In the televised address, the Chief Adviser said the next general election would be held on some day in the first half of April 2026.

“The nation is reassured by his announcement and hopes that the necessary steps will be taken to hold a free, fair, impartial and acceptable election within the announced time,” said Jamaat chief in a statement.

He said the interim government will be able to bring Bangladesh back to a fair democratic path based on the nation’s strong desire for reform, justice and elections, and by formulating and implementing the ‘July Charter.’​

 

[Saif]

CA’s speech fails to fulfill nation’s expectations: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday night said the nation’s expectations have not been fulfilled with the Chief Adviser’s speech regarding the fresh roadmap for the next parliamentary election. In an immediate reaction, Salahuddin said that, “The Chief Advise

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA’s speech fails to fulfill nation’s expectations: Salahuddin

Published :
Jun 06, 2025 22:29
Updated :
Jun 06, 2025 22:29

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday night said the nation’s expectations have not been fulfilled with the Chief Adviser’s speech regarding the fresh roadmap for the next parliamentary election.

In an immediate reaction, Salahuddin said that, “The Chief Adviser’s speech has not met the expectations of the nation.”

He said their party Standing Committee is sitting for an emergency meeting at 9pm, to be chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, according to UNB report.

The BNP leader said they will elaborately discuss the matter and work out the next course of action.

Salahuddin also said the BNP would come up with a detailed reaction to the Chief Adviser’s announced new election outline after holding discussions with other political parties involved in the simultaneous movement.

Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, announced that the next national election will be held some time in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress.

“After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026,” he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening.​

 

[Saif]

Questions arise whether the decision made by bypassing demands of 90pc of political parties: Khasru

Interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has announced that the national election will be held on any day in the first half of April next year. Reacting to this announcement, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “When 90 per cent of political...

en.prothomalo.com

Questions arise whether the decision made by bypassing demands of 90pc of political parties: Khasru
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 06 Jun 2025, 22: 15

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury Prothom Alo

Interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has announced that the national election will be held on any day in the first half of April next year.

Reacting to this announcement, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “When 90 per cent of political parties have demanded that the election be held by December, questions arise as to how such a decision can be made by bypassing the will of the 90 per cent.”

When asked for his reaction to the election timeline announced by the Chief Adviser, Amir Khasru told Prothom Alo on Friday night, “It has been said that all decisions are being made on the basis of consensus. So where is the consensus if 90 per cent have been excluded from such a major decision?”

He also mentioned that such a decision could raise concerns among the public about whether certain groups have influenced the government. “If any group is exerting influence, then the promise of a free and fair election could be seriously called into question,” he said.

According to BNP sources, in response to the Chief Adviser’s announcement about holding the national election in April, the party has called a meeting of the Standing Committee at 9 PM tonight at the chairperson’s office in Gulshan. An official response may be issued after the meeting, the sources added.​

 

[Saif]

BNP, nation disappointed by April polls schedule: Fakhrul

Fakhrul said people had been hoping for an earlier election schedule

www.thedailystar.net

BNP, nation disappointed by April polls schedule: Fakhrul

Photo: Collected

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that not just his party, but the entire nation has been left disappointed by the chief adviser's announcement that the next national election will be held in April next year.

Speaking to journalists last night at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning from Thailand where he had been receiving medical treatment, Fakhrul said people had been hoping for an earlier election schedule.

"The BNP has repeatedly said that it wants elections as soon as possible. We had hoped that Dr Muhammad Yunus would announce the election date by December. But undoubtedly, not only the BNP, but the entire nation has been disappointed by the announcement of elections in April," he told reporters.​