Yunus informs BBC that general elections are expected to take place between December 2025 and March 2026

Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus has stated that the upcoming national parliamentary elections will take place between December this year and March next year.

He further emphasized that the decision on whether to participate in the elections lies with the Awami League. Additionally, the Nobel laureate economist mentioned that the Election Commission would determine the participants in the election process.

These remarks were made by the Chief Adviser during an interview with the BBC, with the news being published on Thursday.

Muhammad Yunus also expressed his surprise at being appointed to lead the government following the removal of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power last year.

"I was completely unprepared to take charge. I had never managed a government before and had to learn how to navigate its operations," Yunus stated.

"Once we got a handle on things, we began organizing," he added, highlighting that restoring law and order and stabilizing the economy were the country’s top priorities.

It remains uncertain whether Hasina, who went into exile in India, and her party will participate in the elections Yunus plans to hold later this year. She is currently wanted in Bangladesh for alleged crimes against humanity.

"The most critical issues are peace, order, and the economy," he said. "We are dealing with an economy in ruins, as if it has been ravaged by a 16-year-long devastating tornado, and we are now trying to rebuild."

Sheikh Hasina served as Prime Minister from 2009, ruling Bangladesh with an iron grip. Her Awami League government was accused of brutally suppressing dissent, with widespread allegations of human rights violations, including the imprisonment and assassination of political opponents.

A student-led uprising led to Hasina’s ousting in August. At the request of the protesters, Yunus returned to Bangladesh to lead the new interim government.

He reiterated his commitment to holding elections between December 2025 and March 2026, contingent on the progress of electoral reforms he deems essential for ensuring a free and fair process.

"If the reforms are completed swiftly, we will hold elections in December. However, if a more extensive reform process is required, we may need additional months," he explained.

Reflecting on last year's violent protests in Bangladesh, Yunus described the country as emerging from a state of complete disorder. "People were being shot and killed," he said.

Despite nearly seven months under the new administration, many in Dhaka feel that law and order have yet to be fully restored, with conditions showing little improvement.

"Improvement is a relative concept," Yunus remarked. "Compared to last year, things seem stable. However, the current situation is not significantly different from other periods in history."

Yunus attributed many of Bangladesh’s ongoing challenges to the previous government.

"I am not justifying these events, but we must acknowledge that we inherited a country shaped by years of governance," he stated.

The anger among victims of Sheikh Hasina’s rule persists. In recent months, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets, demanding her prosecution for the violent crackdown on student protesters.

A Bangladeshi court has issued a warrant for Hasina’s arrest, but India has yet to respond.

Under Yunus's leadership, concerns have arisen regarding the safety of Awami League members.

In February, homes of several Awami League members—including the residence of Bangladesh’s founder and Hasina’s late father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—were attacked and set on fire after she announced a speech on YouTube.

The Awami League accused the interim government of condoning such violence in a social media post.

When questioned by the BBC about Awami League members' claims that Bangladesh is unsafe for them, Yunus defended his administration.

"There is a legal system in place. They can file complaints with the police and seek justice through the courts," he asserted. "One does not report such concerns only to a BBC correspondent; they must engage with the legal system."

Meanwhile, the decision by the Trump administration to cut foreign aid, effectively ending most US Agency for International Development (USAID) programs, is expected to impact countries like Bangladesh.

"It is their decision," Yunus said.

"The aid has been helpful, particularly in addressing corruption and other issues we couldn’t tackle immediately."

The United States ranks as Bangladesh’s third-largest provider of official development assistance. Last year, the US committed $450 million in foreign aid.

When asked about how Bangladesh would compensate for the funding shortfall, Yunus responded, "When the time comes, we will find a way to manage."