THE chief adviser to the interim government Muhammad Yunus in an address to the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha has announced that the general elections would be held any day in the first quarter of April 2026, noting that the Election Commission would announce a road map to the elections at an appropriate time. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the major political organisation of the country, had earlier held brief for the elections by this December whilst the government stood its ground for the elections between this December and June 2026. Although the announcement is viewed as an effort to reach a middle ground, the announcement has elicited mixed reactions, some saying that this is logical given the time required for democratic reforms and the trial of individuals associated with the deposed Awami League and some others saying that this is illogical as the announcement has failed to reflect people鈥檚 expectations and impractical as Ramadan would span from mid-February to mid-March, not to mention the government鈥檚 visible failures to effect any effective reforms so far. There could also be weather challenges and public examinations. But the announcement has created resentment in the BNP camp which has become evident in its reaction to the announcement, noting that the period would be inconvenient for national elections.
Behind-the-scenes ministrations have, however, come up and the results are yet to be forthcoming. The chief adviser to the interim government has said that it has assumed the responsibility to run the affairs of the state on three mandates: reforms, justice and elections. But his address has only spoken of elections, which are essential and pressing, somewhat setting aside reforms and justice. Only a road map to the national elections would hardly work for a meaningful transition to a democratic polity unless reforms and justice also have road maps for implementation. Muhammad Yunus, or the interim government for that matter, should also announce effective road maps to justice and accountability for the crimes that the Awami League regime had committed for a decade and a half and to reforms, which would ensure a sustainable transition. The interim government should put to effect all the three mandates that Muhammad Yunus has talked about. On the other side, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which talks about only elections, setting aside the issues of reforms and justice, should also announce meaningful road maps to both justice and accountability of the crimes committed during the July鈥揂ugust 2024 uprising and to democratic reforms of the state which are essential when it comes to a democratic governance.
Whilst the interim government should work out road maps to reforms and justice, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party should also make public road maps to reforms and justice for a democratic reconstruction post the August 2024 political changeover.