The head of Bangladesh’s interim government announced Monday that elections could occur by the end of 2025, contingent upon implementing necessary electoral reforms.
Since August, Bangladesh has been under the control of an interim government headed by its sole Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus. This power shift occurred following the resignation of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who left for India in the wake of widespread protests.
“In a televised address, Yunus stated that should there be political consensus and the voter list is meticulously prepared with only minor reforms, it could be feasible to conduct elections by the end of 2025.”
General Waker-uz-Zaman, the army chief of Bangladesh, spoke to Reuters in September regarding the political landscape following his refusal to back Prime Minister Hasina during the intense student protests that resulted in her exit. He emphasised the need for the restoration of democracy within a timeframe of 12 to 18 months.
During his address commemorating the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan, achieved after a nine-month conflict, Yunus emphasised that elections could only occur following necessary electoral reforms.
“The 84-year-old stated that if further reforms are necessary, and considering the need for national consensus, it could require a minimum of six more months.”
Opposition parties, notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which stands as one of the two major political forces alongside the Awami League, are urging elections to be conducted at the earliest opportunity.
