BNP seeks a specific roadmap, not an idea of election: Salahuddin

BNP has sought a specific roadmap for the next parliamentary election, not an idea of the polls which Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has provided, said the party's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today (16 December).

He made the remark while talking to reporters, giving his immediate reaction to the chief adviser's speech in which Yunus said the next election can be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026 after completing necessary reforms.

Mirza Abbas, another BNP Standing Committee member, expressed hope that the interim government will hand over power to the people through a fair election.

He said after the fall of fascist Hasina, it was the public demand to give a fair election for transition to a democratic government.

The two BNP leaders were talking to journalists after paying tribute to the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of Victory Day.

Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Yunus, during an address to the nation, said, "Broadly speaking, the election date can be set between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026."

He said he has repeatedly appealed to all to hold the polls after completing all the major reforms. "However, if, and I repeat, "if", due to political consensus, we have to hold the election on the basis of a flawless preparation of the voter list with minor reforms, then it may be possible to hold the elections by the end of 2025," he said.

"And if we add to this the expected level of reforms in the electoral process and in light of the recommendations of the Election Reforms Commission and based on the national consensus, then it may take at least another six months," said the chief adviser.

Stressing the need for completing reforms before holding the next national election, he said each reform commission is important to implement the people's expectations for reforms.