Bangladesh's 2026 polls to be a century-defining moment: CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has described the upcoming national elections as a key event that will determine Bangladesh's course for the next century, calling it a "century-defining election" that will shape the nation's future for generations.

Yunus was addressing a view-exchange meeting with Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on the upcoming 2026 national election and referendum process.

"The elections we are about to enter are unlike any we have had before. I would say clearly, this is the election of the century. It will set the course for Bangladesh for the next hundred years," said Professor Yunus during the meeting held at the Shapla Hall of the Chief Adviser's Office.
 

He said that this will not only be a regular five-year election but will also include a unique, nationwide referendum to decide the country's direction for the next 100 years.

The Chief Adviser explained that the 2026 polls will involve two key components -- a standard five-year parliamentary election and a historic 100-year referendum. The referendum, he said, will allow the people of Bangladesh to collectively chart the nation's long-term path and future direction.

"One election is for the next five years, but the referendum will set the course for a century," Yunus said, adding, "The importance of this dual voting process in shaping the nation's future."

Through this referendum, he said, Bangladesh will find its "address" in the world and determine the path it will follow for the next hundred years.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid moderated the meeting, while Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, newly appointed DC to Bogura district Toufiqur Rahman and Tangail DC Begum Sharifa Haque took part in the discussion. 

Urging the commissioners and DCs not to treat the upcoming elections just like previous ones to elect a government just for five years, Prof Yunus said, "This is not all about a five-year election. This is the first election after the people's uprising. This is the election that will transform the people's uprising into governance. So we have to see this election differently."

Expressing hope that the young generation of officers would show commitment and determination and put their full strength to materialise the people's aspiration that was created through the 2024 July Uprising, he said, "Normally, during elections, people know what role is played by various government officials."

"But what we are going to do now is completely different. This is a different type of election. In previous elections, we saw that a vote was held for five years, and many times that election became a mockery in front of everyone," the Chief Adviser said. 

"But this one is fundamentally different. Therefore, we must focus on something special."

Calling upon the officials to work sincerely, Prof Yunus warned them that there is no room for any mistake, saying that there will be no scope even to express repentance if somehow any mistake is made. 

"There is no scope for error. No scope for confusion. This election will give the nation a new life and a new birth. And we - the people organising it - are like midwives assisting in this new birth. Our duty is to ensure that this newborn future is safe and beautiful," he said.

Noting that through a successful referendum, the nation will start a new journey for a hundred years, the Chief Adviser said that the journey of the century must be smooth and festive. 

"The century-long journey must begin with joy and celebration. And we must ensure such an environment," he said.