Bangladesh Parliamentary Election to be held in February 2026

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced today that Bangladesh's next parliamentary election will be held in February 2026, setting the stage for a democratic transfer of power following the historic student-led uprising last year that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.

In a televised address marking the one-year anniversary of the July Uprising, Prof Yunus said the interim government will formally request the Election Commission to hold the polls before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins around February 17 or 18 next year. This means the election is expected to take place in the first half of February.

“We want to make election day like the festival of Eid,” Yunus said, emphasizing the festive and inclusive spirit he hopes to see when citizens, including families with children, go to the polls. “This time, the joy of voting will be among everyone. All of you will go to the polling centre with your children—to present the grandeur of exercising civic rights to future generations.”

The announcement follows the unveiling of the July Declaration, which calls for constitutional recognition of the 2024 uprising. Yunus stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the elections are held peacefully, fairly, and with high voter turnout, describing it as a crucial step toward building a new Bangladesh.

“For many years, we could not vote. This time, we all will vote. No one will be left out,” Yunus declared. He urged every citizen to value their vote and participate actively to set the country on the path to progress.

The announcement comes amid divisions among political parties regarding the election timing. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and allied groups welcomed the February election timeline following discussions with Yunus, while other parties such as the National Citizen Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have called for electoral reforms and trials related to the uprising before polls are held.

The Election Commission has made significant preparations and reforms ahead of the vote, including expanding voting rights to expatriates and enforcing stricter election laws to restore public confidence after concerns over the fairness of previous elections under the former government.

As the country prepares for this pivotal election, the interim administration has pledged full support to ensure the process is transparent and inclusive, aiming to foster peace, unity, and democratic progress.

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