Prof Yunus’ move clears confusion over next national election: Salahuddin

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said all confusions about the next national election have been cleared through Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ announcement to send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner to hold the polls in February next year.

“He (Yunus) announced that he will send a letter to the Election Commission and the Commission will take the necessary steps to hold the election before the Ramadan in the first half of February 2026,” the BNP leader said.

Talking to reporters in front of the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after the Chief Adviser addressed the nation, Salahuddin also said the Election Commission will announce the schedule in due time.

He said the whole nation and his party have been waiting for such an announcement from the Chief Adviser for a long time.

“Through this announcement, the doubts that many people had about the election process in Bangladesh are now gone,” the BNP leader said.

“With this, the confusion that many believed existed regarding the holding of the election in Bangladesh no longer remains. The entire nation will now move forward in an election-oriented environment,” Salahuddin said.

He expressed the hope that the upcoming election would be free, fair, neutral and one of the most admired polls in the world.

The BNP leader also urged the entire nation and all citizens to prepare for the next national election.

Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said that he, on behalf of the interim government, will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner so that the Election Commission can holds the national election before the next Ramadan in February.

"Now it is our turn to fulfill our final duty - holding the election. As I address you on this great day, we will enter our final and most important chapter. We will now begin the process of handing over responsibility to an elected government," Prof Yunus said, referring to the upcoming 2026 election.

In a televised speech, Prof Yunus expressed hope that the people of this country will be able to move forward in building a 'New Bangladesh' by successfully holding the election.

Salahuddin said the Chief Adviser made two important announcements today: one about the July Charter and the other about the upcoming election. “We welcome both announcements.”

He said the July Charter includes commitments that will be recognised constitutionally and officially by the state. “We have pledged to ensure its rightful place in the constitution.”