Divergent views on election timeline persist in Bangladesh, all party meeting fail to resolve tangle as BNP presses for election within December
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, May 25, 2025
A sharp divergence of views among major political parties over the timeline of the next national elections in Bangladesh emerged in the all party meeting called by chief advisor Md Yunus yesterday after a sharp tongue lashing from the chief of the armed forces General Wakar Uj Zaman. Sources from across the border said that political parties in Bangladesh have come out with starkly different views on when and how the next national election should be held, their back-to-back different views exposing widening cracks in the post-uprising political landscape The interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has proposed holding elections between December 2025 and June 2026. However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) have each laid out different demands and expectations.
BNP, one of the country’s largest political parties, has called for the elections to be held as early as possible.BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said that elections should not be delayed. “The people want change through elections—not at the end of a year, but now,” he said. “We will ask the chief adviser to bring forward the polls. Holding them late will only deepen uncertainty.”Amir Khasru emphasized BNP’s demand for a fair and credible election under neutral administration. He hinted at the possibility of initiating the election process before December and warned that BNP would not accept any attempt by the interim government to prolong its tenure unnecessarily.
Regarding the overall situation, he added: “We do not see a crisis. If we return to democratic principles and form an accountable government through fair elections, the people will again see hope.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also pushed for a clear electoral roadmap and stressed the need for national unity and dialogue to resolve the issue.
In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed trust in the interim government’s proposed schedule. Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who has met with Dr Yunus multiple times, said: “We want the election to be held in due time, and we believe the interim government will ensure it is inclusive and acceptable to all.”
Jamaat leaders called on other political parties to cooperate more with the interim government.
Speaking at an event on Saturday, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “It has been nine months since the change of government. The chief adviser said he wants elections between December and June. We want to believe his words.”
Calling for restraint and political cooperation, he added: “It would not be appropriate to push the nation into further uncertainty through conflict. This (the election) requires meaningful dialogue. The government must take responsibility for this.”
He also stressed the need for a clear roadmap: “We wanted two roadmaps—one for reforms and one for elections. But no roadmap has come. We demand that it be published.”
While BNP and Jamaat both seek clarity, they differ on timing: BNP demands speed, Jamaat urges patience.
Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from last year’s youth-led uprising, maintains that elections must be preceded by sweeping reforms.
“We clearly stated to the chief adviser that no election date should be announced before electoral reforms are implemented,” said NCP Coordinator Nahid Islam.
He criticized the current Election Commission as “incompetent and untrustworthy” and called for its immediate restructuring. “If the same system that served the previous regime remains, it will only reproduce injustice.”
NCP also demands reforms in the judiciary, police, and civil service. “This is not just about voting. It’s about ensuring justice and fairness before asking citizens to trust the system again,” Nahid added.
He further said that the interim government must implement the goals of the people’s uprising. “The July Declaration should be published. Judicial reforms and an electoral roadmap need to be announced together.”
However the differing positions are particularly striking between BNP and Jamaat, once close allies in opposing the Awami League. Asked if BNP would go to polls with Jamaat again, Fakhrul said: “We are working with like-minded people to ensure a fair election. However, the BNP will participate in the elections in its own way.”
All three parties expressed support for continuing dialogue with the interim government. However, their diverging visions on timing and preconditions may challenge the chief adviser’s efforts to finalize an election plan.
A senior BNP leader observed that without consensus; the upcoming elections could face legitimacy issues. The chief adviser’s office has not announced a definitive election date but has continued meetings with political stakeholders.
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