Bangladesh Nationalist Party demands general elections by August

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanded Tuesday that general elections be held by August this year.

“We have been saying repeatedly that there is no alternative to an elected government. It is crucial for democracy. We believe elections can be held in the middle of this year, by July and August,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

“Therefore, we urge the government, the Election Commission and all political parties to take necessary steps to hold elections by that time in the greater national interest,” he added.

This contradicts statements from the transitional government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which said it will take until early 2026 to prepare for elections following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The BNP, the party of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is currently in the UK for medical treatment, boycotted general elections held in January last year.

Alamgir argued that there is no reason to delay the elections further.

“The more the delay, the greater the political and economic crisis,” he said.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 last year following a mass uprising against alleged atrocities and oppression during her 15-year reign. Protests by the student-led movement, which called for democratic reforms and an end to alleged abuses, resulted in more than 700 deaths and the eventual fall of Hasina's government.

A transitional administration led by Yunus has since taken charge, pledging to stabilize the country and pave the way for elections.

The new government has requested India's cooperation in returning Hasina to Bangladesh, where she faces charges including allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity. India, however, has remained silent on the matter.