'Elections possible between…': Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus on Victory Day

Since August, Bangladesh has been under a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Published on: Dec 16, 2024, 11:22:01 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh's interim government, on Monday said the next general elections could be held at some point between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026.

Yunus' remarks came during his national address on the 53rd anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War.

"In view of the electoral processes and recommendations of the Electoral Reforms Commission, and if we add in the expected level of reform based on the national consensus, it (elections) could take at least another six months, roughly between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," The Daily Star quoted Yunus as saying.

Yunus also highlighted that “extensive work” would have to be done to update the voter list, a critical step in the election process, and the list had not been updated “in 15 years.”

The task, he noted, would be “more challenging” this time as voters “did not participate" in the previous three elections.

"The Election Commission now holds the responsibility for forming the future government," the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh added.

Bangladesh is under a caretaker administration since August, when the government led by Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation's Founding Father, collapsed after weeks of student-led protests.

Also Read: Bangladesh’s ex-PM launches attack on interim govt, calls Yunus a ‘fascist’

Hasina, who was in power since 2009, fled to India and is living here.

The exit of the Awami League supremo was followed by attacks on Bangladesh's minority Hindu community, resulting in tensions with India, a Hindu-majority nation and a neighbour which played a key role in the liberation of what was then a part of Pakistan (as “East Pakistan”).

Last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh to discuss bilateral ties, the first high-level official visit after the the interim government.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Bangladesh

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.