New Delhi: Bangladesh’s political climate is witnessing heightened tensions as the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the coalitions of opposition parties have rejected the interim government’s proposed timeline for the national elections to be held in April 2026.
In a televised address on June 6 on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha, Chief Adviser to the caretaker government, Muhammad Yunus announced that the general elections would be held “on any one day during the first half of April 2026”.
“The Election Commission will provide you with a detailed roadmap for the elections at an appropriate time,” Yunus further said. This declaration has come after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a student-led uprising in August 2024.
BNP’s response to election announcement
The BNP called a special meeting of its standing committee on Friday night to respond to the announcement of elections, made by Yunus. The party’s meeting was presided over by acting chairman, Tarique Rahaman.
In a statement the BNP said, “The chief adviser’s Eid address went beyond the traditional festive message and ventured into political issues unrelated to the interim government’s stated three-point mandate.”
BNP Standing Committee member, Amir Khasru has further commented, that when 90 per cent of the political parties have called for a decision to be made by December, questions arise as to how such a decision can be made by disregarding the vast majority.
The party also went on to criticise the move made by Yunus and rejected the proposal of April election. They have cited various reasons such as the concerns pertaining to the timing; since it coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, weather conditions and school examinations.
The party has repeatedly questioned why elections could not be held by December 2025. They also claimed that Yunus has provided no plausible explanation for the same.
The BNP has also brought to the fore the sacrifices made during the July-August 2024 uprising claiming that any further delay would intensify the political fissures and result in a crippled democracy, resulting in public resentment and anger.
According to a News 18 report, BNP is attempting to launch a nationwide campaign to mobilise public support against the proposed April 2026 election timeline. It further believes that holding an election during Ramadan is not feasible. The holy month can be used as an excuse to postpone the much anticipated elections entirely, delaying the democratic process.
BNP might also reach out to the other parties to form a united front. Nearly 20 parties are in favour of holding elections in December.
