The interim government has set its sights on holding the national elections in December, with insiders suggesting that a delay until January remains a possibility should unforeseen circumstances arise.
Given that Ramadan begins in February next year, followed by Eid-ul-Fitr, authorities are keen to avoid a prolonged deferral that could push the elections to January 2026.
In a recent interview with The Daily Star, Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, indicated that the election schedule might be announced in October.
"If I am not mistaken, the schedule could be declared in October, elections could be held in December, and a new government could take office by January," he stated.
Despite the constitutional prerogative of the Election Commission (EC) to determine election dates, the altered political landscape following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August has shifted the focus to consensus-building among the interim administration and political stakeholders.
The EC is currently operating on the assumption that elections will proceed in December and has begun preparations accordingly.
Several political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Left Democratic Alliance, have already held discussions with the EC, outlining their positions on the electoral process.
BNP and the left-wing alliance have called for elections this year, opposing the holding of local government polls beforehand. In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami has not stipulated a specific timeframe for national elections but has advocated for local elections first, aligning with calls for broader institutional reforms before the polls.
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, both of which played leading roles in the recent mass uprising, have also voiced support for holding local government elections first.
Their stance is predicated on the need for structural reforms before a national vote is conducted.
Following the upheaval that led to Sheikh Hasina’s removal, the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, outlined a roadmap for reforms.
In his address to the nation on 16 December, Yunus suggested that an election could be held by December 2025 with minimal reforms, or by mid-2026 if deeper reforms were pursued.
To facilitate this, eleven reform commissions have been established, covering areas such as constitutional amendments, electoral processes, public administration, policing, judiciary, and anti-corruption measures. Some commissions have already submitted their proposals, with discussions underway within the newly formed National Consensus Commission.
Despite these reform efforts, political analysts note that law and order remain fragile. Sporadic unrest continues, and concerns persist over whether the administration can restore full control before elections.
The police and civil service, both of which played pivotal roles in the past regime, have yet to regain full operational normalcy, raising questions about their effectiveness in managing the electoral process.
Additionally, debates continue over whether local elections should be held ahead of the national polls.
The Local Government Reform Commission has already submitted recommendations, arguing that such elections could serve as a test run for the new Election Commission and allow the government to gauge the effectiveness of recent electoral reforms.
However, the BNP has warned that prioritising local elections could fuel nationwide unrest, characterising the proposal as a ploy to destabilise the country.
Meanwhile, the EC remains firm in its preparations for a December election, having directed district commissioners to commence groundwork.
Key preparatory measures include updating the voter list, redefining parliamentary constituencies, registering new political parties and election observers, and procuring essential materials.
The voter list update is scheduled for completion by June, while other logistical aspects await final decisions on reform implementation.
With the clock ticking, Bangladesh stands at a crucial crossroads.
While the interim government pushes ahead with reforms, the political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty, and the success of the impending elections will depend on the delicate balancing act between governance, consensus-building, and security stability.
