Bangladesh’s next national election will be held on a date in the first half of April 2026, Chief Adviser to the interim government Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus announced on Friday.
Delivering a televised address to the nation at 7:00pm on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, Dr Yunus ended months of speculation regarding the election timeline.
“I know there is great public and political interest in knowing when the election will take place. Today, I am announcing that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026,” he said.
The interim government assumed office on a three-point mandate — reform, justice, and election — following last year’s mass uprising that ousted the previous administration. Dr Yunus emphasised that ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election is the government’s “sacred responsibility.”
“Bangladesh has repeatedly faced crises due to flawed elections,” he said. “It is our duty to deliver an election that is clean, festive, peaceful, and widely participatory — one that prevents future instability.”
Institutional reform remains key to this goal, the chief adviser stressed. “If governance is not ensured in the institutions directly linked to elections, the sacrifices made by our students and citizens will go in vain.”
Dr Yunus also reported that progress on reform and justice is on track to reach an “acceptable stage” by next year’s Eid-ul-Fitr. In particular, he pledged visible advancement in the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising — which he called a collective national responsibility.
The announcement marks a crucial step in Bangladesh’s political transition. The Election Commission will soon publish a detailed roadmap for the election, Dr Yunus added.
“We want this to be the most free, fair, and competitive election in our country’s history,” he said. “An election that will honour the memory of the martyrs of the uprising and be remembered by the nation.”
