Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has described the upcoming national elections as a key event that will determine Bangladesh’s course for the next century, calling it a ‘century-defining election’ that will shape the nation’s future for generations to come.
Professor Yunus was addressing a view-exchange meeting with Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners on the upcoming 2026 national election and referendum process.
‘The elections we are about to enter are unlike any we have had before. I would say clearly, this is the election of the century. It will set the course for Bangladesh for the next hundred years,’ said Professor Yunus during the meeting held at the Shapla Hall of the chief adviser’s office.
He said that this would not only be a regular five-year election but will also include a unique, nationwide referendum to decide the country’s direction for the next 100 years.
The chief adviser explained that the 2026 polls will involve two key components — a standard five-year parliamentary election and a historic 100-year referendum. The referendum, he said, will allow the people of Bangladesh to collectively chart the nation’s long-term path and future direction.
‘One election is for the next five years, but the referendum will set the course for a century,’ Yunus said, adding, ‘The importance of this dual voting process in shaping the nation’s future.’
Through this referendum, he said, Bangladesh will find its ‘address’ in the world and determine the path it will follow for the next hundred years.
Cabinet secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid moderated the meeting while divisional commissioner of Dhaka Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, newly appointed DC to Bogura district Toufiqur Rahman and Tangail DC Begum Sharifa Haque took part in the discussion.
Urging the commissioners and DCs not to treat the upcoming elections just like previous ones to elect a government just for five years, Professor Yunus said, ‘This is not all about a five-year election. This is the first election after the people’s uprising. This is the election that will transform the people’s uprising into governance. So we have to see this election differently.’
Expressing hope that the young generation of officers would show commitment and determination and put their full strength to materialise the people’s aspiration that created through the 2024 July Uprising, he said, ‘Normally, during elections, people know what role is played by various government officials.’
‘But what we are going to do now is completely different. This is a different type of election. In previous elections, we saw that a vote was held for five years, and many times that election became a mockery in front of everyone,’ the chief adviser said.
‘But this one is fundamentally different. Therefore, we must focus on something special.’
Calling upon the officials to work sincerely, Professor Yunus warned them that there is no room for any mistake, saying that there will be no scope to even express repentance if somehow any mistake is made.
‘There is no scope for error. No scope for confusion. This election will give the nation a new life and a new birth. And we — the people organising it — are like midwives assisting in this new birth. Our duty is to ensure that this newborn future is safe and beautiful,’ he said.
Noting that through a successful referendum the nation will start a new journey for hundred years, the chief adviser said that the journey of the century must be smooth and festive.
‘The century-long journey must begin with joy and celebration. And we must ensure such an environment,’ he said.
Urging the officials to be prepared to resist any sort of ill attempt to foil the nation’s new journey, Professor Yunus said, a vested quarter will try to disrupt the election process.
 ‘Someone will not like this century-long journey. They will try to create trouble. Those who still think this is just a five-year election will behave accordingly. But that is not our work. We must understand both elections — the five-year one and the hundred-year one — and we must conduct the century-defining referendum smoothly,’ he added.
 The chief adviser urged officials to erase all memories of past flawed elections, saying, ‘The previous elections we remember were filled with bad experiences. Those memories make it hard to visualise a correct election. But you must bring new thinking.’
He said that the role played by today’s officers would be remembered for generations.
‘When you retire, you will tell your children how you helped bring a new future to the nation during the 2026 election,’ Professor Yunus told the officials.
He asked the officials to explain the referendum to the people. ‘You must explain to people what the referendum is. They must understand what ‘yes’ means, what ‘no’ means, and why it matters,’ the chief adviser said.
Explaining in detail how technology will ensure transparency in the upcoming polls, he said, ‘There will be control rooms. From one place you can see what is happening across the country. Officers at the polling centres will have body cameras. What they see, you will see. You can talk to them instantly.’
This system leaves no room for ignorance, Professor Yunus said, adding, ‘You cannot say ‘I did not know.’ Technology will ensure everyone sees everything.’
He called for understanding all technological tools before being deployed. Putting special emphasis on young and female voters, the chief adviser said that a large portion of the youth never got to vote in the past 15 years.
‘Many young people were deprived. Now they will vote for the first time. They must be encouraged,’ he added.
Asking the official to ensure a safe environment for the young men and women, Professor Yunus said this will be their first vote — not only for five years, but also for the century-long future. ‘They will feel proud that they cast both votes,’ he added.
The chief adviser urged the officials to protect the votes at any cost, saying, ‘Vote protection means country protection’essor
‘We must remember clearly — protecting the vote means protecting the country. There is no alternative. If we cannot protect the vote, we cannot protect the country,’ he said.
Speaking about the international observers, Prof Yunus said, after 15 years without a meaningful election, the entire world is observing Bangladesh’s democratic transition.
‘They want to see how the election is held — they are deeply interested in it,’ he added.
Calling upon the officials to learn everything they need to know to make the election a success, the chief adviser said the election must be festive and peaceful at the same time.
 ‘It is our commitment to the mass uprising to make this election meaningful. This election is a big campaign, we must win this campaign,’ he said, adding, ‘We must win this battle to survive as a free nation.’
Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, home affairs adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and law, justice and parliamentary affairs adviser Asif Nazrul were present at the event, among others.
