The national elections in Bangladesh are set to take place between December 2025 and March 2026, as confirmed by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Speaking to the BBC in an interview on Thursday (6 March), Yunus, a Nobel laureate and renowned economist, outlined the timeline and expressed that the final decision on the participation of political parties, including the Awami League, rests with the respective party itself.
He stated, "The Awami League must decide whether it wishes to participate in the election. It is for the Election Commission to decide who will take part in the elections."
Yunus, who assumed his current role following the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass student protests, reflected on the unexpected nature of his leadership.
"I had no idea I would be leading the government. I had never been involved in governance before, so I had to adapt quickly to the situation," he remarked.
Despite the challenges, Yunus emphasised the restoration of law and order, as well as the stabilisation of the country's economy, as his government's priorities.
"We inherited a fragmented economy, shattered by years of mismanagement. It's as if a catastrophic tornado had struck for the past 16 years, and now we are trying to rebuild," he stated.
Since the dramatic political upheaval that saw Sheikh Hasina flee to India in August 2024, the country has witnessed various unsettling developments.
The interim government has been working towards re-establishing stability and conducting free and fair elections, despite concerns surrounding the participation of the exiled leader and her party.
The Awami League’s involvement in the elections remains uncertain.
Dr Yunus addressed the recent political turbulence, noting that the situation is one of "complete disorder," where violent acts, including killings, had occurred.
"The law and order situation remains better than last year, but not yet ideal. It is important to understand that 'better' is a relative term," he added.
In discussing the broader political context, Yunus laid the blame for the country's current predicament on the previous government's actions.
"We are not creating an ideal country from scratch, but working with the legacy of decades of misrule and the systemic issues inherited from past administrations," he explained.
The interim leader also responded to the accusations levelled by the Awami League, claiming that they were being unjustly vilified.
"There are courts, there is the police, and they can lodge complaints as required," Yunus remarked, referring to the allegations of violence and persecution against Awami League members.
Regarding Sheikh Hasina's political future, Dr Yunus expressed that the necessary legal processes should be followed, with Bangladesh seeking her return to face charges of war crimes.
"We must ensure justice is served," he asserted.
With the elections approaching, the future political landscape of Bangladesh remains uncertain, but Dr Yunus's administration is committed to overseeing reforms and a peaceful electoral process, dependent on the pace at which these reforms are implemented.
