Bangladesh opposition warns of unrest if elections delayed beyond December

reuters

Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned of public unrest if elections are not held by December, following remarks from interim leader Muhammad Yunus suggesting a possible delay until 2026.

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate heading the unelected interim government since August, said reforms are needed to ensure "the most free, fair and credible elections in Bangladesh." His statement comes after deadly student-led protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to New Delhi.

Abdul Moyeen Khan, a senior BNP leader, warned that delaying elections could spark “strong resentment within the people of Bangladesh” and potentially lead to instability. Speaking from Washington D.C., where he is lobbying U.S. officials, Khan emphasized the importance of holding elections this year.

“December is a generally agreed-upon schedule. Beyond December would make things more complicated,” Khan said.

BNP’s main rivals in the upcoming election are expected to be Jatiya Nagorik Party, a student-led outfit launched by Nahid Islam, a former ministerial colleague of Yunus. The BNP claims its internal surveys show it would win an easy majority if elections are held within the year.

The opposition party has not committed to forming coalitions before the election but is open to working with other parties afterward. “After the election, we'd be happy to form a government with everyone who is in favour of democracy,” Khan stated.

The political landscape in Bangladesh remains uncertain as Yunus insists on reforms before any voting, while the BNP calls for immediate elections to restore democracy.

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