Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Monday that general elections are expected to take place either in late 2025 or early 2026. Yunus, who is leading the caretaker government formed after a major uprising in August, has been under pressure to confirm an election timeline.
Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was appointed “chief adviser” after student protests ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. These protests led to Hasina fleeing to India by helicopter as thousands of demonstrators stormed her residence in Dhaka.
The 84-year-old microfinance pioneer is now tasked with the challenging role of restoring democratic systems in a country with a population of around 170 million. Speaking on state television, Yunus said, “Election dates could be finalized by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026.”
During her 15 years in power, Hasina faced criticism for human rights abuses, politicizing institutions, and holding unfair elections that undermined democratic practices. Her government was accused of detaining opponents and using extreme measures to maintain control.
Yunus has initiated reforms through various commissions to rebuild the political and electoral system. He stressed that the elections depend on agreements among political parties and that certain reforms must be prioritized.
“I’ve highlighted that reforms should happen first before finalizing election arrangements,” Yunus explained. “If parties agree to hold elections earlier, with key reforms like a proper voter list, polls could take place by November. However, implementing a full set of reforms may push the elections back by a few months.”
