The Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Sunday that the next general election is likely to be held in February next year despite widespread confusion, frustration and uncertainty.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the National Committee for Observing Maulana Bhashani鈥簊 Death Anniversary at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The discussion was organised to mark the 49th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.
鈥榃hatever happens, even amid much confusion, frustration and uncertainty, there is now a possibility that the election will be held in February 2026,鈥櫬燜akhrul said.
鈥楤ut some groups, some quarters, are deliberately trying to create uncertainty in Bangladesh, and they are raising various demands to obstruct, halt, or delay the election,鈥� he said.
However, what the people of the country need most right now is an elected government backed by the people, he said.
He urged all political parties to support the election process without delay and requested them to help create an opportunity for electing public representatives.
Noting that the situation of the country鈥檚 economy is deteriorating, he said that the economic situation would worsen further in the absence of an elected government.
聽The law and order situation is deteriorating as well, and without an elected government, it will become even worse, he added.
Fakhrul also said, 鈥楢 certain group is conspiring to create chaos in the country, centring the verdict on fascist Hasina鈥檚 mass killing case.鈥�
A faction may try to create chaos in the country by taking advantage of political division and instability, he warned.
Speaking at the discussion, economist Professor Mahbub Ullah said that the country might face a major disaster and fall in a deep crisis聽if the election was not held on time.
He expressed doubts about whether the four referendum questions would be understandable to ordinary people.
鈥楤ecause a large proportion of people are still illiterate. So, how will they make the right decision based on four complex questions? This is a major concern,鈥� he added.
