Bangladesh’s Election Commission will announce the date of parliamentary elections scheduled for February on Thursday.
The date of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election will be announced on Thursday along with a simultaneous national referendum. The elections are scheduled for February according to an official of the commission.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Bangladesh, AMM Nasir Uddin, said this after a meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Tuesday.
The political upsurge in Bangladesh has widely impacted the country’s functioning days after handing the death sentence to ousted PM Sheikh Hasina that found her guilty of crimes against humanity. The state is currently governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August last year.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will announce the election schedule in a national broadcast at 6:00 PM (1200 GMT), senior Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told news agency Reuters.
According to EC officials, the upcoming vote will cover all 300 parliamentary constituencies.
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party is widely seen as the frontrunner in the upcoming polls, competing alongside the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which has returned to electoral politics after the interim government eased restrictions.
For the first time, it will be held in conjunction with a nationwide referendum on the recently introduced July National Charter 2025, which outlines several proposed political, governance, and constitutional reforms.
Political observers and rights groups say broad participation and a level playing field are essential for public confidence. They urged authorities to ensure free and fair conditions for all.
Hasina’s Awami League, which has been barred from contesting the election, has warned of unrest if the ban is not lifted.
(With inputs from agencies)
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