Bangladesh to Hold Parliamentary Elections in February 2026, Announces Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus

New Delhi, Aug 2025 : Bangladesh’s interim government, widely criticised for its authoritarian tendencies, has announced that parliamentary elections will be held in February 2026. This will be the nation’s first general election since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The announcement was made by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during a televised address marking the anniversary of the July Uprising, signalling a significant step towards restoring electoral democracy in Bangladesh.

Yunus, who assumed leadership of the caretaker government following Hasina’s regime collapse, stated that formal requests will be made to the Election Commission to conduct the polls before Ramadan begins. He assured the nation of the interim administration’s commitment to free, fair, and inclusive elections, pledging full cooperation with the electoral authorities.

The decision comes amid ongoing political uncertainty and growing demands from opposition forces for an expedited return to democratic governance. Initially, Yunus had proposed holding elections in June 2026, but mounting pressure from political groups such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) forced a revision of the timeline.

The February elections will mark Bangladesh’s first national vote since Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following widespread student-led protests. Hasina, who fled the country in early August 2024, currently faces trial in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity, stemming from a violent crackdown on protestors during her final months in power. She has denied all allegations.

In his address, Yunus also presented the “July Declaration,” a document outlining the caretaker government’s reform agenda, which includes constitutional amendments, justice for victims of past abuses, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. While supporters view the declaration as a roadmap for national renewal, critics argue that it lacks legal enforceability and may remain largely symbolic without substantial institutional action.

Since Hasina’s ouster, the Awami League has been banned, and human rights groups report that hundreds of its supporters have been detained without trial. Sporadic unrest continues across the country, raising concerns about political violence as the election approaches.

The upcoming polls are seen as a critical test for Bangladesh’s fragile transition back to democratic governance.