Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday hinted at holding the next parliamentary elections in February next year.
“If all preparations are completed, elections could be held even in the week before the holy month of Ramadan in 2026 (i.e., in the first half of February). However, achieving sufficient progress on reforms and accountability would be necessary by then,” he said during a meeting with BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
The much-hyped meeting was held at the Dorchester Hotel in London.
A joint statement was issued around 4:00 PM Bangladesh time following the meeting.
According to the statement, the meeting between Professor Yunus and Tarique Rahman was held in a very cordial environment.
Present at the press conference were Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser; Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser; and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP’s Standing Committee.
Tarique Rahman proposed to the Chief Adviser that elections should be held before next year’s Ramadan.
He added that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also suggested that it would be ideal to hold elections within that timeframe.
The Chief Adviser reiterated that he had already announced elections would be held in the first half of April next year.
However, if preparations are thoroughly completed, elections could potentially be held even before Ramadan in 2026. For that to happen, substantial progress in political reforms and accountability would be necessary.
Tarique Rahman welcomed the Chief Adviser’s position and expressed gratitude on behalf of the party. The Chief Adviser also thanked Tarique Rahman for a productive discussion.
Upon arrival at the Dorchester Hotel, Tarique Rahman was received by National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
