Bangladesh Polls Will Be Held on Time, Says Muhammad Yunus
Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that the country’s general election will be held on schedule despite continuing unrest in parts of the country. Yunus conveyed the assurance during a meeting with a senior United States official, stressing that the interim administration remains committed to a timely and constitutional electoral process.
The statement comes amid political tension following the death of youth leader Osman Hadi, an incident that triggered protests in several cities. Yunus said maintaining democratic continuity was a priority and that the unrest would not derail preparations for the polls announced by the Election Commission.
Unrest and Security Situation
Protests erupted after Hadi died from injuries sustained in an earlier shooting incident. Demonstrations were reported in Dhaka and other urban centres, with sporadic clashes and damage to property. Authorities have increased security deployment in sensitive areas and appealed for calm, stating that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The interim administration has said law and order measures are aimed at ensuring public safety while safeguarding democratic rights, including the right to vote.
Government Assurances to International Partners
During his interaction with the US envoy, Yunus reiterated that the interim government would facilitate free and fair elections and allow political activity to continue within the bounds of law. Officials said there is no proposal under consideration to defer the election schedule.
Election authorities have continued routine preparations, including administrative readiness and coordination with security agencies.
Political and Electoral Context
Bangladesh is navigating a sensitive transition period, with the interim setup tasked with overseeing elections amid heightened political scrutiny. Observers note that holding polls on time will be critical for political stability and public confidence.
Yunus said the administration’s focus remains on restoring calm, ensuring accountability in the Hadi case, and completing the electoral process as planned.
