Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has announced Bangladesh will vote in the general polls in April next year, paving the way for the first election in the country since the fall of the ex-PM Sheikh Hasina-led government in August last year amid the violent quota reform movement.

“Based on this announcement, the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap in due course,” Yunus said during a televised address to the nation on Friday, as quoted by Dhaka Tribune.

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“There is immense public and political interest regarding the timing of the election,” he said.

“As I’ve said before, it will be held between December and June. The government is working to ensure an environment conducive to a credible election within this timeframe," the Interim government chief said.

Yunus said: "Our goal is to prevent future crises. That requires institutional reform. Without ensuring good governance in the institutions directly linked to the electoral process, all the sacrifices made by students and citizens will be in vain.”

He said that with the election, Bangladesh will form a truly representative parliament.

Yunus said: "Millions of young voters will be casting their votes for the first time. We are committed to taking every step necessary to ensure this future.”

“This election is not just about peace,” he said. “It’s about realising the student-led uprising’s vision of a ‘New Bangladesh.’ The parties and symbols may remain the same, but voters must evaluate who is genuinely committed to change.”

BNP Feels Disappointed

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the major political outfit in Bangladesh that was engaged in a tough political battle against Hasina's Awami League for decades, expressed disappointment over the announcement of the election date.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said people wanted an earlier date for the polls.

"The BNP has repeatedly said that it wants elections as soon as possible. We had hoped that Dr Muhammad Yunus would announce the election date by December. But undoubtedly, not only the BNP, but the entire nation has been disappointed by the announcement of elections in April," he told The Daily Star.

Bangladesh plunged into political uncertainty on August 5, 2024 after Hasina was forced to flee amid severe violence against her regime over a job quota row.

After Hasina's exit, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government.