Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh’s national election is likely to be held in December this year, but not beyond June, according to interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The remarks came from a report published by The Economist on Thursday (May 15).
Dr. Yunus indicated that while December is being considered as a tentative timeline, the election would not take place after June. However, he did not confirm whether he himself would contest in the upcoming polls.
He noted that the interim government has succeeded in stabilizing inflation and the banking sector, though economic growth remains sluggish.
The political landscape, he added, is still fragile. “Even nine months after the revolution, bringing about major change remains a significant challenge,” he said.
Dr. Yunus stated that a “Consensus Commission” will be formed in collaboration with political parties to draft the “July Charter,” which will pave the way for the election and help build a “new Bangladesh.”
“Reaching consensus is not an easy task. There’s already disagreement among political parties and the public about what commissions should exist,” he explained.
“Some argue that there should have been a commission for the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, the backbone of the country’s economy. Others feel the education sector hasn’t received enough attention.”
The most heated debate, he said, has surrounded the Women’s Reform Commission, which was formed much later than others. The commission recommended reforms to Islamic inheritance laws to grant women greater rights—sparking protests from Islamist groups.
Regarding the Awami League, Dr. Yunus confirmed that on May 12, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration, effectively barring it from participating in the upcoming election.
