Bangladesh plans for December elections, but the roadmap remains uncertain

The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that the interim government is aiming for the next general elections to be held in December 2025. However, political parties and stakeholders continue to press for a clear electoral roadmap. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah provided this update after meeting with ambassadors and representatives from 18 development partner nations, including the UNDP. This announcement follows six months after the July mass uprising, which significantly impacted the country's political scene. The key question remains: when will the roadmap be revealed? Speculation has been growing since a meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP leaders on Monday, which hinted at a possible December election.

Following the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that the first consensus meeting between political parties and the Election Commission would take place on February 15. Still, many political parties remain unconvinced, stressing that a formal roadmap from the interim government is necessary to ensure the commitment to holding elections within the stated timeframe. They had hoped the roadmap’s release would clarify the schedule for the upcoming political parties meeting with the Chief Adviser.

Regarding local elections, the Election Commission has clarified that there are no plans to hold them before the national polls. Although the government has the authority to call local elections earlier, the EC’s primary focus remains on preparing for the parliamentary vote. Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan confirmed on Monday that while a policy decision has been reached regarding local elections, no final decision has been made yet. The EC chief also referred to a speech by Chief Adviser Yunus on December 16, which outlined two possible election timelines: December 2025 if minimal reforms are pursued, or mid-2026 if more time is required for deeper changes. The EC is preparing for the earliest possible date, while remaining flexible.

A key issue discussed was whether national and local elections could be held simultaneously. The EC chief stated that although the idea was considered, logistical constraints make it unlikely, as conducting local elections in multiple phases could take up to a year, delaying the national vote. For now, the EC’s priority remains on the general elections. He added that if the government decides to hold local elections before the general election, the EC would act accordingly, but the current focus is on national polls.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, following a meeting with the Chief Adviser, reiterated that his party would not accept any local elections before the national elections. He stated, “We have said before—and we are saying it again—that there will be no elections before the national election.” When asked about the election roadmap, Fakhrul said it was up to the government, adding that they might announce something by February 15.

In terms of international support, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, expressed optimism about the upcoming elections, stating that they could be the most credible in the country’s history. He noted that the EC formally requested UN support in late December, and a UN team visited Bangladesh in January to assess the technical assistance required. The meeting also involved representatives from key international stakeholders, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others. Liller emphasized that the UN’s role is purely supportive, aiming to ensure a free and fair election, while the final decision on the election schedule remains with the interim government and the EC.