Bangladesh’s Election Commission will announce the date for the upcoming parliamentary elections today. The polls are scheduled for February, following a historic student-led uprising that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Interim Government Still in Charge

The country has been run by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August 2024. Hasina fled to India after violent protests engulfed the nation and her government collapsed.

CEC to Make National Broadcast at 6pm

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will reveal the election schedule in a national broadcast at 6pm (1200 GMT). Senior Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the announcement.

Referendum Expected on July Charter

The government is also preparing for a referendum on the “July Charter.” The reform plan emerged after months of unrest. It proposes major changes, including reducing executive powers and strengthening the judiciary and election bodies. It also aims to stop the misuse of law-enforcement agencies.

BNP and Jamaat Re-enter the Political Arena

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is currently seen as the strongest contender in the upcoming polls. The Jamaat-e-Islami party has also returned to electoral politics after restrictions were eased by the interim administration.

Jamaat previously remained barred from elections due to a 2013 court ruling that found its registration unconstitutional. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 173 million, has seen major political shifts since then.

Awami League Warns of Unrest

Hasina’s Awami League is still banned from taking part in the election. The party has warned of potential unrest if the ban is not lifted.

What Happens Next?

Today’s announcement will officially begin the countdown to Bangladesh’s most crucial election in over a decade. Political parties, reform groups, and international observers are closely watching how the country moves forward.https://globiscope.com