Bangladesh Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus Hints at Late 2025 or Early 2026 Elections

Dhaka: Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader and head of the caretaker government established after the August revolution, announced on Monday that general elections are likely to take place in late 2025 or early 2026.

Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance pioneer, was appointed as the country’s “chief adviser” following a student-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since taking charge, Yunus has faced mounting pressure to set a date for restoring democratic governance in the nation of 170 million.

In a televised address, Yunus stated, “Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.” He emphasized the importance of implementing critical reforms before conducting the elections, adding that the timeline depends on political consensus.

Post-Revolution Challenges

Yunus is leading a transitional administration tasked with addressing what he described as the “extremely tough” challenge of rebuilding democratic institutions. He has launched commissions to oversee reforms aimed at creating a fair and transparent electoral process, including compiling a flawless voter list.

“If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, the election could be held by the end of November,” Yunus said. However, he noted that implementing the full list of proposed reforms would push the election timeline into 2026.

Hasina’s Fall from Power

The revolution in August marked the end of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. Facing accusations of politicizing courts, manipulating elections, and suppressing opposition through human rights violations, Hasina fled to neighboring India as protesters stormed the prime minister’s residence in Dhaka.

Her regime was widely criticized for undermining democratic checks, with mass detentions and extrajudicial killings targeting political rivals.

A Path to Reform

Yunus stressed that restoring trust in the democratic process is essential for Bangladesh’s future. “Reforms must take place first before making arrangements for an election,” he said, underlining his commitment to ensuring a credible and transparent electoral system.

The timeline for elections will ultimately depend on the willingness of political parties to cooperate on the reform agenda.