The interim government wants to hold the 13th national parliamentary elections in February next year (2026). For this, the interim government will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting the commission to organize the parliamentary elections in February before the start of the next month of Ramadan.
Principal Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus made this statement in his address to the nation on Tuesday. He delivered the speech at 8:20 pm on the 'July Uprising Day', the one-year anniversary of the July Uprising.
Highlighting various contexts including the July Declaration, the July Charter, the trial of the murders committed during the July coup, and reforms, the Chief Advisor said, "Now it is our turn to fulfill our last duty, the election. After addressing you on this great day today, we will enter our last and most important chapter. We will now begin the process of handing over responsibility to an elected government. On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting that the Election Commission organize the national election in February 2026, before the next Ramadan."
The Chief Advisor seeks everyone's prayers so that all citizens of this country can successfully move forward in building a 'New Bangladesh' by conducting the elections in a beautiful manner. He said that the government will provide all kinds of help and cooperation so that this election can be conducted in a fair, peaceful and festive manner.
Professor Yunus said that they will start mental preparation and institutional arrangements from Wednesday to complete all the arrangements so that this year's election is memorable in the country's history in terms of joy and celebration, peace and order, voter turnout, and cordiality.
Stressing the importance of ensuring arrangements for expatriates to vote, the chief advisor said, "The major reason why Bangladesh, which was completely devastated economically, has been able to turn around so quickly is the historic contribution of our remittance warriors. The Election Commission is making preparations to ensure their participation in the elections."
The chief advisor said that all measures will be taken to ensure that women voters flock to the polls this time. He said, "Citizens have not been able to vote for 15 years due to the disenfranchisement of the people of the country. In this election, we want to vote with great joy and happiness. This time, voters who are going to vote for the first time in their lives will go to the polling station with a festival to make the day memorable....We want to make the election day like an Eid festival. The foundation of building a new Bangladesh will be laid in this election. Prepare for that."
Professor Yunus said that the reason behind all the major conflicts and violence that have occurred in the country's history so far was flawed elections. The July coup has shown what the ultimate consequences are if a party is forcibly elected and comes to power through flawed elections. He said, "We do not want to repeat any tainted chapter of history."
Commenting on the fact that a group is eager to disrupt the elections, the Chief Advisor said, they are sitting outside the country and are engaged in various evil attempts from within to disrupt the democratic progress of the country. Of course, care must be taken that they do not get any opportunity to make the elections controversial. It must be kept in mind that the defeated forces will try to rise up again and again until the elections. But if a free, fair and impartial election is successfully organized, the defeat of the evil forces will be final.
Technology helps in organizing elections
The Chief Advisor said that technology will be used to constantly seek advice on election-related issues. He said that an initiative is being taken to create an app for this. All suggestions, opinions, concerns and initiatives can be communicated through this app. It will be communicated to the appropriate authorities, and steps will be taken to resolve the problem.
Calling upon political parties, the chief advisor said that youth should not be left out in any election manifesto, promises and plans. Women should not be left out. It should be remembered that the youth who have changed Bangladesh have the power to change the world as well. Take the initiative to give them that opportunity. In the next election, everyone will vote for their preferred candidate safely, no one should have any objection to this.
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