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Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced parliamentary elections for February 2025.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus
Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus announced that the country’s long-anticipated parliamentary election will be held in February 2025. In a televised address to the nation, Muhammad Yunus said he would formally request the Election Commission to organise the polls in February.
“The people deserve a voice in shaping the next chapter of our democracy,” Muhammad Yunus said, noting that the Election Commission would determine the exact date of the vote. His announcement came as Bangladesh marked the first anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s exile, following a mass student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule.
Elections Shifted From April To February Amid Opposition Pressure
Muhammad Yunus had earlier indicated that elections would likely be held in April 2025. However, sustained pressure from major opposition forces- particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, along with its alliance partners- prompted a shift in timeline. The BNP and its allies have repeatedly called for an earlier vote to restore democratic normalcy and sustain political momentum.
Awami League Barred From Contesting
Further complicating the electoral landscape is the ongoing ban on the Awami League, the party formerly led by Sheikh Hasina. The Election Commission has revoked its registration, rendering it ineligible to contest the upcoming polls unless the ban is lifted.
The Muhammad Yunus administration has accused the party of inciting political violence, suppressing dissent, and eroding democratic institutions- allegations the Awami League has consistently rejected.
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