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Emma Rose Boby
8 June 2025 |
On 7 June, Chief Advisor Yunus stated, “The government has held discussions with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history. In addition, after reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reform and elections, I am announcing to the people of the country today that the next national elections will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026.” However, the BNP has strongly condemned this and are insisting on the elections being conducted in December, stating that Ramadan, key school examinations and weather conditions might be used to further delay the elections in April.
On 2 June, the Election Commission restored the registration of the Jamaat-e-Islami on orders of the Supreme Court. The party had been barred from contesting elections since 2013 as they were allegedly incompatible with the country’s constitution. Earlier, on 10 May, the interim government banned all political activities by the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The government claimed that it was done to safeguard national security and sovereignty
On 23 May, Chief Advisor Muhammed Yunus threatened to resign due to the lack of agreement on political reforms, but later agreed to continue after a discussion with a few student leaders and political parties.
On 21 May, Bangladesh’s Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated, “Bangladesh needs political stability. This is only possible through an elected government, not by unelected decision-makers” and pushed for the elections to be conducted in December claiming that prolonged deployment of the Army could compromise the defence of the country.
What are the issues?
First, the interim government’s prioritization of political reforms over early elections. After Sheikh Hasina’s exit, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus set out to establish a fair electoral system through six political reforms that would strengthen the institutions. It would also reform the police and the Anti-Corruption Commission. According to Yunus, this was essential to prevent the emergence of fascism or authoritarianism. The reforms were set to be implemented on 1 October 2024, with the help of individual commissions, and they were expected to finish their jobs after three months, after which a comprehensive consultation would be held with members of various political parties, civil society and the interim government as well. These reforms have reportedly failed because of the lack of cooperation from political parties.
Second, the demand for elections by the political parties and the divide over the date. Initially, the elections were to be held in late 2024 or early 2025. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been the primary opposition to the Awami League since its formation. In 2013, along with the Jamaat-e-Islami, the two threatened to boycott the elections to change election laws. In 2018, the BNP posed no threat to the Awami League. However, after the 2024 elections and the Monsoon protests, the BNP returned to the framework and consolidated its standing. The BNP has been consistently pushing for the elections to be conducted earlier. The party feels an earlier election will secure a comfortable majority.
The Jamaat-e-Islami has now become the BNP’s primary opposition. The party has its ideological roots in Pakistan but was barred from contesting elections since 2013 due to its incompatibility with the constitution and for its role in the War of Liberation 1971. The Jamaat-e-Islami is willing to comply with the interim government’s decision to hold off the election,s as it would give the time needed to stabilize and expand before the elections.
The military wants elections to be conducted at the earliest. According to Chief Army General Zaman, the highest priority for Bangladesh right now is returning to an electoral democracy. After a closed-door meeting on 21 May, the officer corps claimed that they were willing to “act upon command” and that they too shared concerns over decisions being taken by the interim government, allegedly without the armed forces being briefed.
The students seem to be in favour of the interim administration. The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by Nahid Islam, a former member of Yunus’ cabinet, has been pivotal in influencing the youth in Bangladesh, with their priority being reforming Bangladesh and not the elections. General Zaman received backlash on social media by youth influencers in Bangladesh for his comments against Yunus.
Finally, the rest of Bangladesh. In a survey conducted by Innovision Consulting, titled “People’s Election Pulse: Feb-March 2025,” 65 per cent of voters showcased a preference for the BNP, with the Jamaat-e-Islami having 32 per cent.
Outside the above, there has been an increase in communal violence and crime rates, with Operation Devil Hunt not reporting any success. Independent journalism is facing a crisis with 640 journalists being allegedly targeted since Yunus’ rise to power. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also criticized their banning of the Awami League as it goes against fundamental freedoms with citizens voicing out similar concerns. There have also been protests against the interim government by public servants and teachers for wage cuts and layoffs.
There is a growing concern that Chief Advisor Yunus is delaying the election. A section within and outside is questioning the action against the Awami League.
Most of the working class seem to be in favour of the BNP, while the army does not want to actively involve itself in Bangladeshi politics.
References
Moudud Ahmmed Sujan, “Why the future of of Bangladesh’s Muhammed Yunus administration is uncertain,” Al Jazeera, 24 May 2025,
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/5/24/why-is-bangladeshs-interim-leader-muhammad-yunus-considering-resigning
Ruma Paul, “Protests grip Bangladesh as pressure mounts on Yunus-led government,” Reuters, 26 May 2025,
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/protests-grip-bangladesh-pressure-mounts-yunus-led-government-2025-05-26/
“Yunus charts a path to reforms,” The Daily Star, 12 September 2024,
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-charts-path-reforms-3700751
“BNP to avoid showdown with govt for now,” The Daily Star, 4 June 2025,
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-avoid-showdown-govt-now-3910781
Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy & Madhurima Pramanik, “The Rise of the NCP and Bangladesh’s Descent into Chaotic Politics,” Observer Research Foundation, 7 June 2025,
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-rise-of-the-ncp-and-bangladesh-s-descent-into-chaotic-politics
About the author
Emma Rose Boby is a student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy in St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. She is a part of the NIAS Online Course on Contemporary South Asia.
