National elections to be held in early February: Chief Advisor

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus reiterated his commitment to holding a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful national election in the first half of February next year. He made these remarks while meeting with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) led by Munir Satuori at the State Guest House, Jamuna, on Wednesday (September 17).
Dr. Yunus told the delegation, “We have already announced the election schedule. It will be held in early February, just before Ramadan.”
He said that public enthusiasm for the elections, especially among the youth, is growing. He added that they are particularly encouraged by the resumption of student union elections in universities after a long hiatus.
Professor Yunus said, “The national election will be peaceful, clean, transparent, and festive. Some quarters are still trying to delay the election, but the caretaker government is firm in its commitment to holding the election on schedule.”
He expressed hope that a record number of voters, including a large number of young voters exercising their right to vote for the first time in over 15 years, would ensure a high voter turnout.
He said, “The February election will usher in a new chapter in Bangladesh. It will be a new chapter in our history, a new beginning for the country.”
During the nearly hour-long discussion, the Chief Advisor and the MEPs exchanged views on the reform measures taken by the government, the continued support of the European Union for Bangladesh’s democratic progress, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
The members of the delegation described the upcoming election as a turning point for Bangladesh. One MEP said that the work of the Chief Advisor and his team in the last 14 months had been “extraordinary.” Another Dutch MEP commented, “Bangladesh is now one of the few countries where things are moving in the right direction.”
Expressing gratitude for the unwavering support of the European Union, Dr. Yunus appealed for additional funding for the more than one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He specifically requested assistance to reopen refugee camp schools that had recently closed due to a lack of funding. Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Lutful Kabir Chowdhury highlighted the significant labor reforms implemented by the interim government, stating that these measures will help strengthen Bangladesh-EU relations.