NN Online:
Bangladesh may face increased political instability if national elections are not held by December, warned Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In an interview with Reuters, he expressed concerns over potential unrest if the election timeline is extended beyond this year.
Moin Khan made these remarks during a visit to Washington, D.C., where he held meetings with U.S. representatives regarding Bangladesh’s political situation.
“December is the agreed timeline. If elections are delayed beyond that, the situation will become more complicated. The people of Bangladesh will be frustrated, and instability will increase,” Moyeen Khan told Reuters.
The report also mentioned that Professor Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, recently stated that the next national elections could take place between December 2025 and June 2026. The Nobel laureate economist emphasized the need for electoral reforms to ensure Bangladesh’s most free, fair, and credible elections.
However, earlier this month, Nahid Islam, a former member of the advisory council and student leader, suggested that elections this year would be difficult due to unresolved security concerns.
Despite these concerns, BNP remains firm on its demand for elections within 2025. Moin Khan stated, “We will try to convince the interim government that the best course of action for them is to step down with dignity by holding elections as soon as possible.”
The Reuters report also highlighted the disarray within the ruling Awami League, as several senior leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, remain in exile. The report suggests that the National Citizen’s Party (NCP), led by Nahid Islam, could emerge as BNP’s primary competitor in the upcoming elections. Student leaders have signaled a shift away from the country’s two traditional political giants, BNP and Awami League, pushing for a new political direction.
Moyeen Khan asserted that internal BNP surveys indicate that the party is likely to secure a majority in the next elections. He further stated that Tarique Rahman, BNP’s acting chairman, will return to Dhaka once the election date is announced. In recent months, Bangladeshi courts have overturned several legal cases against both Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia, removing significant legal barriers to Rahman’s return.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is currently in London undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis and heart disease. While her health has improved, sources indicate that her return to active politics remains uncertain.
According to Moyeen Khan, BNP does not currently plan to form an electoral alliance for the upcoming elections. However, he indicated that BNP is open to working with the National Citizen’s Party and other groups post-election to form a pro-democracy coalition government.
“We will be happy to form a government with all pro-democracy forces after the elections,” Moyeen Khan concluded.
