[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[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.​

 

[Saif]

Possible to hold elections in December, would be best for the nation: Mirza Fakhrul

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that April is not at all appropriate for the national election. He said, it is quite possible to hold the election in December and that would be best for the nation. The BNP secretary general said this in reply to questions of newsmen today, Saturday...

en.prothomalo.com

Possible to hold elections in December, would be best for the nation: Mirza Fakhrul
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 07 Jun 2025, 15: 22

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other leaders of the party lay wreaths at the grave of the party's founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital Courtesy: BNP chairperson's media cell

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that April is not at all appropriate for the national election. He said, it is quite possible to hold the election in December and that would be best for the nation.

The BNP secretary general said this in reply to questions of newsmen today, Saturday, while laying wreaths at the grave of the party's founder Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of Eid . He visited the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11:30am today.

Mirza Fakhrul said, "The time fixed for the election (April), is not appropriate for elections in Bangladesh. It is extremely hot (in April) and there is the apprehension of storms and rain... and it is also immediately after Ramadan... public exams will also be on. It does not seem much thought was given to fixing this date."

He went on to say, "That would also mean that the election campaign would have to be carried out during Ramadan, which is difficult. Our remarks have been expressed by the standing committee after taking a decision at its meeting last night. We feel that it is possible to hold the election in December and that would be the best time for the nation."

Referring to the announcement made by the chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus that the national election would be held any day in the first week of April 2026, Mirza Fakhrul said, "We already gave our reaction yesterday. We have always demanded that the election be held by December... that was also the expectation of the people."

"People's expectations not met"

Earlier, at 11:30am, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul, accompanied by standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain, placed wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman. They also offered a special prayer seeking forgiveness for the departed leader’s soul.

Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, members of the chairperson’s advisory council Abdus Salam and Abdul Halim, joint secretary general Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and central leaders Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Rafiqul Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Mir Newaz Ali, Aminul Haque, among others, were present at the time.

Before being imprisoned in 2008, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia would visit Ziaur Rahman’s grave every Eid. In her absence, the party's secretary general and standing committee members pay tribute at the founder’s grave on behalf of the party.

Mirza Fakhrul said, “On behalf of the party, on behalf of chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, and on behalf of acting chairman Tarique Rahman, I extend Eid greetings and best wishes to the people of the country.”

He added, “On this day, we seek truth through sacrifice and strive to get closer to Almighty Allah. As Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote in his poem ‘Qurbani’, this is not killing today, but the pursuit of truth, the awakening of strength. He said, Eid-ul-Azha truly teaches us to sacrifice, to love humanity, and to build a better world.​

 

[Saif]

Nation does not want another questionable election: Jamaat ameer

“If justice, reforms, July Charter and Declaration, and an equal electoral field are ensured, then an election following the roadmap will be possible,” he said

en.prothomalo.com

Nation does not want another questionable election: Jamaat ameer
UNB Dhaka
Published: 07 Jun 2025, 22: 39

Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said the nation does not want another ‘questionable election’ and stressed that a credible national election would only be possible if justice, reforms, the July Charter and July Declaration are ensured along with a level- playing field.

“The nation does not want another ‘questionable’ election. If justice, reforms, the July Charter and Declaration, and an equal electoral field are ensured, then an election following the roadmap will be possible,” he said after offering Eid prayers at his native village in Tulapur Panchgaon Eidgah under Bhatera union of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar district.

He mentioned that people were denied the opportunity to vote in the last three elections, and this time, the youth and new voters “must be allowed to exercise their voting rights.”

Shafiqur also said if the chief adviser seeks cooperation, his party will respond positively.

He, however, emphasised that resolving the ongoing political crisis is crucial for holding a free and fair election.

Earlier, delivering an Eid message, the Jamaat chief said, “Eid-ul-Azha is a symbol of sacrifice and a test of seeking Allah’s pleasure. On this sacred day, let us pledge to unite against injustice, oppression and corruption.”

He added that the nation must overcome the current crisis by standing united for truth, justice, and Islamic values.

After the prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with local residents.​

 

[Saif]

BNP resolute on demand for elections by December

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reiterated its proposal of holding the next national parliamentary election by December this year.

en.prothomalo.com

BNP resolute on demand for elections by December
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 07 Jun 2025, 11: 48

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reiterated its proposal of holding the next national parliamentary election by December this year. The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee on Friday night. The meeting was presided over by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who joined virtually from London.

Following the meeting, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a press release to the media, outlining the party’s stance on the election.

Earlier on Friday evening, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address to the nation, stating that the upcoming general election would be held on any day in the first half of April next year.

The BNP standing committee discussed the chief adviser’s speech during its meeting. It was stated in the meeting that holding the election in early April could pose challenges due to both weather conditions and the overlap with the holy month of Ramadan, potentially creating a situation that may be used as a pretext to delay the election. Besides, the chief adviser in his speech failed to present any specific reason as to why elections could not be held by December.

The press release stated that although the people achieved a significant victory through the mass uprising of students and citizens in July–August 2024, the unnecessary delay in scheduling the election has caused public frustration and anger. Taking into account Ramadan, secondary and higher secondary level examinations, as well as weather conditions, the committee reaffirmed its proposal that the election be held by December.

While the non-partisan and neutral interim government speaks of building a consensus, the way it’s calling its own neutrality into question by being heavily influenced by a particular political group to ignore the opinions of the majority of political parties can make the public justifiably concerned about the possibilities of a free and fair election, the committee added.

Upon reviewing the chief adviser’s speech to the nation, the BNP standing committee unanimously expressed the view that, although it was delivered on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the address extended far beyond that context.

The speech touched on issues such as ports and corridors—subjects which, in his own words, do not fall within the scope of the three mandates assigned to the interim government. The committee also expressed its dismay at what it described as a breach of political decorum in the language used during his address.​

 

[Saif]

Amir Khosru casts doubt on Yunus govt’s ability to hold election

Senior BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has questioned the interim government if the general election is being set beyond December in the interest of any particular group, also casting doubt on the administration’s ability to hold polls in future. On Sunday, he said 90 percent of the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Amir Khosru casts doubt on Yunus govt’s ability to hold election

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 08, 2025 21:23
Updated :
Jun 08, 2025 21:23

Senior BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has questioned the interim government if the general election is being set beyond December in the interest of any particular group, also casting doubt on the administration’s ability to hold polls in future.

On Sunday, he said 90 percent of the political parties seek national polls within December.

“A question about whether an election under this government is possible has emerged in the minds of the people,” he said.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has been clamouring for the 13th parliamentary elections by December as the interim government moves with the state reform initiatives.

Addressing the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha on Sunday, Chief Advisor Yunus said: “After reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reform and elections, I am announcing to the countrymen that the next national election will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026.”

The BNP expressed “disappointment” and said that April was “not suitable” for the election.

The party's Standing Committee member Khosru said, “I think over 90 percent of political parties have decided to hold elections in December. They have made their proposals and opinions clear.

“Since our reform initiatives are supposed to be completed in a year or one and a half years, taking longer [for an election] is unreasonable.”

On trying the perpetrators of the July massacre, he said, “The judicial process is in progress, under the judiciary. This is happening in court, the trials will continue regardless of which government [is in charge].”

Noting that the government’s window to adjudicate those charged for crimes during the July Uprising extends until, he said: “If the government still cannot bring them [to justice], BNP will enact justice upon those who remain.”

He stressed that no other party in Bangladesh suffered more than BNP, reports bdnews24.com.

"It is the BNP’s responsibility to ensure that all those involved in this oppression are brought to justice. We will pursue this, regardless of whether anyone else does. And once that is done, the election cannot be delayed beyond December under any circumstances."

He said, “According to many, elections should be held in October or November after these issues are resolved. So why after December? This question has emerged in everyone’s mind. In whose interest should it be held after December? In the interest of which group?

“If a decision is made in the interest of that group, ignoring 90 percent of political parties, then doubts will arise in people’s minds."

Claiming that almost all political parties in the country want elections by December, he said, “What happens if [the timeline] is pushed after December which is followed by the month of Ramadan, our month of sacrifice and restraint, of religious sentiments?

“We don’t want election programmes that month. Then we have exams, followed by weather-related problems, cyclones. So we want elections by December. That is our decision.”

BNP leaders and activists came to Amir Khasru’s house on Sunday to exchange Eid greetings.​

 

[Saif]

BNP terms April election plan ‘imprudent decision’

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday criticised the plan to hold the national election in April, describing it as an ‘imprudent’ and ‘irrational’ decision...

www.newagebd.net

BNP terms April election plan ‘imprudent decision’
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 08 June, 2025, 20:58

The party flag of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. | File photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday criticised the plan to hold the national election in April, describing it as an ‘imprudent’ and ‘irrational’ decision.

The party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the comment while speaking at a food distribution event organised by the Jatiyatabadi Van and Rickshaw Sramik Dal in the capital.

‘People believe the decision to hold the election in April is unwise and an ill-considered one,’ he said.

He said that chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s announcement regarding the election in early April raises serious concerns about both motive and timing.

‘Why is the chief adviser speaking of holding the election in April based on the words of just one or two individuals or political parties? April is a month of intense heat, storms and rainfall. It is also when the SSC and other public examinations take place,’ the BNP leader said.

At that time, he noted, Eid-ul-Fitr will have just concluded. ‘If the election is held in April, campaigning would have to take place during Ramadan. How can one campaign while fasting? Will people observe their fasts or run election campaigns?’

Rizvi alleged that the interim government had pitted democracy against reform.

He said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina both dreamt of remaining in power indefinitely.

The BNP leader said that questions were now being raised as to whether the interim government is harbouring the same ambition.

He accused the Awami League of systematically eroding democratic institutions over the past 15–16 years. ‘People of this country have been denied their right to vote. Elections have been rigged, and Sheikh Hasina has crushed the sanctity of free and fair elections.’

The BNP leader said that democracy fundamentally relied on free and fair elections. ‘People must have the right to disagree and to choose their leaders freely. That is what elections are about.’

Rizvi reiterated BNP’s demand for the election to be held in December, which he described as a more suitable time for voting.​