EC will hopefully announce national polls date soon: Khalilur

National Security Adviser and Chief Adviser's High Representative Khalilur Rahman has expressed hope that the Election Commission (EC) will soon announce the date for the next national election.

Khalilur made the remark while speaking to journalists in London today (June 13), following a meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

"We don't see any problem regarding the election date. Both sides have clearly stated their positions in a joint statement.

"We hope the Election Commission will announce the date soon," Khalilur said in response to a question from reporters. 

Asked whether the trial of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the demands for her extradition could impact the election framework, Khalilur said matters of reform and justice were already addressed in the joint statement. 

"We are fairly confident that we will see progress on these issues before the election takes place," he added.

During the meeting, Tarique, the acting chief of the country's largest political party, asked Yunus to hold the elections before Ramadan next year, which is likely to start on 17 February -- subject to lunar sighting.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also believes that it would be better if the elections were held during that time, Tarique told Yunus at the meeting, according to Khalilur.

The interim government chief responded positively to Tarique's proposal.

Stating that he had announced that the elections would be held by the first half of April next year, Yunus said, "If all preparations are completed, the elections could be held in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026.

"In that case, it would be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reforms and justice by that time."

The meeting began at The Dorchester, where Yunus is staying during his four-day trip to the UK, at 2pm Bangladesh time and continued till 3:30pm.