Yunus Confirms Feb Polls: ‘July Charter’ to be signed Friday in festive ceremony

Staff Reporter :

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reaffirmed that the upcoming 13th parliamentary election will be held on schedule in February 2026, quelling speculation of any delay.

Speaking at an emergency meeting with political parties on the implementation of the July Charter of National Consensus, Yunus announced that the landmark document-hailed as a roadmap for democratic restoration-will be formally signed on Friday at a celebratory event in Dhaka.

“We will go there joyfully on Friday and sign the document,” Yunus said at the Foreign Service Academy. “This event is meant to share the collective hope you have all expressed with the nation. It must reach every citizen, so that people understand what we have achieved together.”

Calling the July Charter the “outcome of months-long dialogue and compromise,” Yunus praised the political leaders who took part in the extended negotiations under the National Consensus Commission. “You have turned the impossible into reality,” he said. “What you have accomplished is not just historic for Bangladesh, but a milestone in the political history of the world. You have discussed difficult issues and reached agreement through sincerity and cooperation.”

The Chief Adviser said the charter’s provisions-shaped by six reform commissions and dozens of political parties-would serve as a national blueprint for democratic recovery. Copies of the document, he added, would be circulated across the country.

“The texts you have created will not disappear,” Yunus said. “We will make sure every citizen has access to them. Consensus is one thing, but spreading its spirit among the people is another-that is our duty as the government.”

He also announced plans to archive and publish the deliberations that led to the charter, through both printed and digital formats. “These discussions are our national assets,” he said. “We will ensure they are shared widely, including on social media and in schools, so that future generations remember why and how this unity was achieved.”

Yunus emphasized that the charter’s signing marks not an ending but “the beginning of many new chapters.”
“It must enter public consciousness-through education, civic discussion, and culture,” he said. “Only then will the spirit of reform be sustained.”
Turning to the upcoming national election, Yunus declared unequivocally:
“This is not rhetoric-the election will be held in February. The government will take all necessary steps to make it a celebration of democracy. There will be no compromise on that.”
BNP calls for clear timeline and transparency
Leaders from major political parties-including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Gonosonghoti Andolon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob), Revolutionary Workers Party, and AB Party-attended the meeting.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated his party’s position that the election must proceed without delay. “There is no alternative to holding the election in February. That is the nation’s expectation,” he said.
While confirming BNP’s readiness to sign the July Charter on October 17, Salahuddin emphasized that the party’s endorsement was “conditional, not unlimited.”
“Our condition is clear-a credible election under your leadership. That is the boundary of our support,” he told Yunus.
Salahuddin also urged balance between the interim government and the country’s state institutions, particularly the armed forces.
“We do not want any deterioration in the government’s relationship with the defense forces. The balance of the state must be preserved,” he said, warning that prolonged unelected rule could create instability. “We must not allow fallen autocrats to exploit any vacuum.”
He further called for inclusion of all “notes of dissent” in the final document. “We are ready to sign, but dissenting views must be properly recorded. If we do that, Bangladesh will set an example for the world,” he said.
Ali Riaz: Political unity key to resisting fascism
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Dr. Ali Riaz described the July Charter as the outcome of an “unprecedented process of political dialogue” based on reports from six reform commissions and extensive party consultations.
“We have reached agreement on 84 points, and areas of dissent are clearly noted,” he said. “All preparations for Friday’s signing are complete. This will be a moment of political renewal, not merely a ceremonial act.”
Dr. Riaz underscored that unity in diversity was essential for Bangladesh’s democratic recovery.
“Differences are natural, but political unity is necessary to resist fascism and restore constitutional order. This charter will mark the beginning of a new political culture,” he said.
NCP raises concerns over ‘unclear provisions’
National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain, however, voiced concern about “unclear provisions” in the final draft, saying several procedural ambiguities had caused hesitation among some parties.
“Certain aspects of the implementation process remain vague,” he said. “We cannot move forward with signatures while there is uncertainty. The nation deserves clarity.”
He called for a consistent framework for recording dissenting opinions and for clearer language regarding the roadmap for the charter’s implementation, including the proposed Constitutional Reform Order to be issued by the government.
“We agreed this will be a reformed constitution, not a new one,” Akhtar said. “Our goal is to ensure that elected representatives after the next election exercise constituent power responsibly.”
As the nation awaits Friday’s signing ceremony, the July Charter has come to symbolize a rare moment of unity in Bangladesh’s fractious political landscape. Encompassing reforms in governance, constitutional amendments, electoral integrity, and institutional balance, the charter is widely viewed as the foundation for Bangladesh’s return to democratic order after months of turmoil.
“This is not the end of a process-it is the start of a new era,” Yunus said, his voice steady. “We will celebrate on Friday, but the real work begins the next day-building a democratic, accountable, and peaceful Bangladesh.”