The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly opposed Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s announcement of holding national elections in early April 2026, reiterating its demand for polls by December this year.
In a statement issued early Saturday following an emergency virtual meeting of its National Standing Committee, the party said the delayed election schedule has “disappointed and angered the people” who sacrificed during the July uprising to restore democracy.
Chaired by acting chairman Tarique Rahman, the meeting reviewed Yunus’ Friday night address and concluded it ignored public aspirations for voting rights. The people have struggled for 15 years, facing disappearances, killings, imprisonment and torture to reclaim democratic rights through elections, the statement said.
The Standing Committee warned that April elections could face complications from Ramadan and adverse weather, potentially becoming grounds for further deferral. It questioned why December polls weren’t feasible, noting the chief adviser failed to provide justification.
The BNP leadership also criticised the interim government’s neutrality, alleging influence from “a particular political quarter” that raises concerns about election fairness.
The meeting objected to Yunus discussing ports and corridors – issues beyond the interim government’s three mandates – during what was ostensibly an Eid message. The statement condemned his “choice of words” as breaching political decorum.