Probable General Election Announced On The Eve Of Bangla New Year 1433

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 7 June 2025 Amid uncertainty and socio-political turmoil in Bangladesh, its interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus announced probable timing of the next general election by the first half of April 2026. The lone Nobel laureate of Bangladesh having a population of 170 million people, while addressing the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, clarified that the Muslim majority nation will go for the 13th Parliamentary elections prior to Bangla New Year 1433. The chief advisor of the caretaker government, which was installed after a student-led public movement ousted the sitting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024, asked the electorates to support a free, fair, impartial and inclusive election in the south Asian country. Bangladesh interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus ------ Prof Yunus also informed that the country’s election commission will provide a detailed roadmap of the polls in an appropriate time, prior to which the voters should work out their preparation for electing right candidates to Jatiya Sansad with an aim to end political violence, corruption and bad governance from Bangladesh. The soft spoken octogenarian gentleman expressed hope that the election would satisfy the souls of martyrs during the July-August 2024 uprising and bring peace to their souls. ‘We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections’, he stated during the address, which was live telecast by the state-run television and radio outlets along with private media platforms. Speaking about mandates of the current administration as ‘reform, justice and election’, Dr Yunus commented, “We want an election that honors the sacrifices of martyrs…. Let this be remembered as the freest and fairest election the country has witnessed in decades.” He also added that millions of young voters will participate in the electoral process for the first time in their lives, who would hold the candidates and political parties accountable in due course of time. The voters will demand the elected representatives to run the country with honesty and transparency keeping themselves completely free from all kinds of corruption, partisanship, tender-syndicate manipulation, extortion, and other anti-people activities, he asserted. He did not forget to mention about the menace created by the Hasina-led Awami League government in Dhaka for decades, commenting that a faulty electoral system can only help raise an autocratic regime (like that of Hasina). Calling upon the people to remain united against Awami League forces and its allies, Dr Yunus reiterated that the trial of crimes against humanity (read engineered by Hasina and her associates) will see visible progress. Elaborating on the government-formed reform commissions, based on which the National Consensus Commission has been discussing with the political parties, the widely admired teacher turned social business preacher added that the commission will announce the July Charter very soon. Greeting the people on Eid, Dr Yunus commented that it’s one of the largest religious festivals of Muslims and a unique symbol of deep devotion and ultimate sacrifice to the almighty. He reminded that Eid-ul-Azha teaches peace, compassion, sacrifice, and brotherhood, where the true spirit lies in self-purification, self-restraint and harmony among Muslims. He urged the people to maintain unity, hygiene and care for the poor, so that Bangladesh can grow as a nation with happiness, growth and prosperity. His address also highlighted various issues including Rohingyas’ plight, enforced disappearance, international aid, import & export, etc. Dr Yunus earlier addressed the nation on 25 March ahead of Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Eid greetings to Dr Yunus and the people of Bangladesh. The message, sent through the Embassy in Dhaka, said that the holy festival is an indispensable part of a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Millions of Muslims celebrate the occasion with delight and passion. This festival reminds everyone of the eternal values of sacrifice, compassion and fraternity, which are essential for building a peaceful and inclusive world, said PM Modi. The prime opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which was insisting for an early election (preferably by December this year), expressed disappointment that mid-April is a bad choice for polls because of extreme heat and also rains. BNP leaders argued that the election in December is still possible. Communist Party of Bangladesh also echoed a similar version stating that winter will be the best time for polls in Bangladesh. Earlier, Bangladesh army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman also emphasized on conducting the election by December. However, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders welcomed the election roadmap, stating that the nation felt relieved knowing that the poll-time. Newly launched National Citizen Party along with Nagarik Oikya, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, etc also welcomed the poll timing. A few months back, Dr Yunus on the eve of Pohela Boishakh (always observed on 14 April), called for unity, reform and cooperation forgetting the past year’s sorrow and pain. Describing the Bangla new year’s celebration as a day of harmony and reunion, Dr Yunus noted that the splendid festival unites Bangladesh’s all communities—Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and others—through shared culture, language, and traditions, despite differences in beliefs. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/election-eve-bangla-new-year-1433/d/135801 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism