News Desk

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus has indicated that the upcoming national general elections in Bangladesh could potentially be held in the week prior to Ramadan in February 2026, provided that key preparations are completed on time. His comments came following a high-profile meeting with BNP acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman in London on June 13.

The two leaders met at a hotel in central London for what was described in a joint statement as a “very cordial” and “constructive” dialogue on the future political landscape of Bangladesh. The statement was jointly issued by the Office of the Chief Adviser and the BNP’s acting leadership following the meeting.

According to the statement, Tarique Rahman proposed that holding the national elections before the beginning of Ramadan in 2026 would be more practical and beneficial for the nation. He noted that such timing would ease logistical and social challenges, as the month of fasting often impacts civic participation and administrative operations.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, in response, reiterated his earlier stance that elections would be held in the first half of April 2026. However, he expressed openness to Tarique’s suggestion, stating: “If all preparations are completed, the polls could be organised in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026. In that case, it will be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reforms and trials by that time.”

The reference to “reforms and trials” is seen as an allusion to ongoing institutional restructuring and legal proceedings against alleged political corruption and electoral malpractice, which the caretaker administration has vowed to address before returning power to an elected government.

Tarique Rahman welcomed the Chief Adviser’s flexible stance and thanked him for considering the BNP’s position. “On behalf of the party, I express our appreciation to Professor Yunus for taking our concerns into account and for his commitment to a fair and timely election,” Tarique was quoted as saying in the statement.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who remains politically influential despite her current absence from the political forefront, also supports the idea of holding elections before Ramadan, according to the statement.

The meeting has generated significant political interest in both Dhaka and among the Bangladeshi diaspora in London. Political analysts view the exchange as a possible thaw in tensions between the BNP and the caretaker administration, though challenges remain in terms of ensuring electoral inclusivity and meeting the pre-election reform benchmarks.

Chief Adviser Yunus concluded the meeting by thanking Tarique Rahman for the “fruitful discussion” and reiterated his commitment to holding free, fair, and participatory elections