National election to be held any day in first half of April 2026: CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (6 June) announced that the national election will be held any day in the first half of April 2026. 

"Based on this announcement, the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap for the elections at an appropriate time," he told a televised address to the nation on the eve of the Eid-ul-Adha.

"I have repeatedly said this election will be held between December and June next year. The government is doing everything necessary to create an environment conducive to elections in the country during this period," he said.

Yunus said, "I know that there is great interest among political parties and the public to know when the next national election will be held. It is important to remember here that the country plunged into deep crises over time, since independence, and that was due to flawed elections. Through repeated occasions of power acquired through flawed election, a certain political party turned into a barbaric fascist one."

The chief adviser said those who organised those elections were eventually identified as criminals by the nation. 

The party that came to power through such elections was hated by the people, he added.

A major responsibility of the interim government is to hold an election in an environment that is fair, festive, peaceful with a massive participation so that the country does not fall into a new crisis in future, said the chief adviser.
For this, institutional reform is most important, he said, adding, "If good governance cannot be ensured in the institutions involved with the election process, sacrifices of the students and the public, made during the 2024 July uprising, will go in vain.

"We took responsibility on the basis of three mandates: reform, justice and elections. In that regard, I believe that we will be able to reach an acceptable position in terms of reform and justice by the next Eid-ul-Fitr."

He said, "Particularly in regards to ensuring trials over crimes against humanity, which is our collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July uprising, we will be able to see visible progress.

"We will be able to implement the mandate you [people] have trusted us, even if it is minimal. We have discussed with all parties regarding organising the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in the history of the country. 

"We want elections that will bring peace to the souls of the martyrs of the uprising.

"We want the largest number of voters, candidates and parties to participate in the next elections. May this be remembered by the nation as the most free, fair and impartial election," he said.

After a century and a half, a truly representative parliament will be formed in the country, Yunus said. 

A large group of young people will get the opportunity to vote for the first time in their lives, he said, adding, "We are committed to the nation to take all necessary steps towards these goals."

The chief adviser urged the people to obtain a promise from political parties that they will never compromise on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity of Bangladesh and will not sell the country's interests to any power outside the country.

"You will obtain specific commitments from them that they will never, under any circumstances, violate your democratic rights and human dignity. You will take a pledge from them that they will run the country with complete honesty and transparency and will keep themselves completely free from all kinds of corruption, partisanship, tender manipulation, syndicate manipulation, extortion, terrorist activities and anti-people activities," he said.

He said the next election is not just about holding peaceful elections rather it is an election to build a "New Bangladesh", as aspired by the students and the masses. 

"In this election, there will be only known parties. They will have their known symbols. But the voter has to find out who the candidates behind the symbols are ready to build a new Bangladesh for you, as well as how committed they are," he said.