Will hold ‘best election’ in nation’s history

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday expressed his commitment to ensuring that the upcoming national election will be the best in Bangladesh’s history.

According to a statement from the chief adviser’s press wing, Yunus assured the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) that Bangladesh would hold a free and fair election between December 2025 and June 2026.

“We want to make sure the election will be the best in Bangladesh’s history and a milestone for the country’s democratic journey,” he said during a meeting with an ANFREL delegation at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Thursday.

ANFREL, a Bangkok-based independent non-governmental organisation comprising members from 18 countries, is dedicated to the advancement of electoral democracy in Asia. It has been actively supporting election observation, democratic reforms, and civic engagement across the region for over two decades.

The ANFREL delegation included Executive Director Brizza Rosales; Consultant for the Bangladesh Elections and Democracy Programme May Butoy; Senior Programme Officer for Campaign and Advocacy Tharindu Abeyrathna; Programme Officer Ayan Rahman Khan; and Programme Associate Afsana Amey.

During the meeting, ANFREL shared details of its ongoing initiatives in Bangladesh, particularly its commitment to rebuilding independent, citizen-led election observation efforts. The delegation also discussed its activities in conducting stakeholder mapping and needs assessments, aimed at identifying opportunities to strengthen civil society engagement and promote electoral transparency.

ANFREL expressed its appreciation for the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the chief adviser and reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with stakeholders in Bangladesh to support transparent and credible elections.

Since December 16 last year, Prof Yunus on many occasions stated that the next parliamentary election could be held either this December or next June, depending on the extent of reforms implemented by the interim government.

Yunus is spearheading a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at rebuilding key institutions and reshaping national priorities. Six key reform commissions have already submitted their recommendation reports to the government.

A National Consensus Commission, led by the chief adviser, is currently holding discussions with political parties to finalise which recommendations will be implemented.