The government intends to conduct general elections in December

The interim government plans to hold national parliamentary elections in December. However, if unforeseen circumstances arise, the elections may be postponed by up to a month, according to sources close to the interim administration and Chief Adviser.

These sources suggest that December remains the most probable timeframe. However, if delays occur, many government insiders believe the elections could be scheduled for January next year. This is because Ramadan begins in February, making it challenging to conduct elections in the following months, which also include Eid-ul-Fitr. Furthermore, the approaching storm season (Kalbaisakhi) and monsoon could complicate election logistics. If elections are not held in December or January, they may be pushed to early 2026.

Meanwhile, M Sakhawat Hossain, the interim government’s adviser for the Ministry of Shipping and Labour and Employment, told The Daily Star last Thursday that the election schedule could be announced around October. He noted, “If I am not mistaken, I am getting hints that the schedule could be announced around October, elections in December, and a new government could be formed by January.”

The Election Commission (EC), which is constitutionally responsible for organizing elections, will ultimately determine the date. However, following the collapse of the Awami League government due to the student uprising, the timing will largely depend on a consensus between the interim government and political parties. While the EC awaits the government’s decision, it is preparing on the assumption that elections will be held in December.

Several political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Left Democratic Alliance, have engaged separately with the EC this month regarding election preparations. BNP and the Left Alliance have both demanded national elections within this year and previously opposed holding local government elections first. Conversely, Jamaat-e-Islami has not specified a timeline for national elections, instead advocating for local government elections before national polls and prioritizing reforms. Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, which led the mass uprising, also favor local government elections first and insist that national polls should only follow necessary reforms.

After the fall of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina government due to the student-led uprising, an interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus took charge. In his national address on December 16, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus outlined a possible election timeline. He suggested that if only minimal reforms were implemented, elections could be held by December 2025. However, if more extensive reforms were pursued, elections might be delayed until mid-2026.

In a September 2024 interview with Reuters, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman pledged support for the interim government in implementing key reforms to ensure elections within 18 months. He indicated that elections would likely take place between November and December 2025. The interim government has prioritized reforms across various sectors, forming 11 reform commissions. Among them, commissions on the Constitution, Electoral System, Public Administration, Police, Judiciary, and Anti-Corruption have already submitted proposals. Discussions on these proposals are ongoing within the ‘National Consensus Commission’ alongside political parties.

Despite the government’s focus on reforms, political analysts highlight that stability remains a concern, particularly regarding law and order. Several incidents of unrest have fueled public uncertainty. Given this backdrop, there is growing discussion that further delays in forming an elected government could lead to an unpredictable political shift.