New Delhi: Bangladesh interim head Mohammad Yunus announced Friday that Bangladesh will hold its next national election in the first half of April 2026, ending months of speculation and laying out what he described as a roadmap to restore democratic integrity and national unity.
‘We are in a state of war. Now we have to remain united at any cost. The defeated powers and their allies are waiting to attack us, to stop our progress. We will not give them this opportunity,” he said.
In a nationally broadcast speech in Bangla Friday ahead of Eid, he vowed to deliver the “most free, fair, competitive, and widely participated election in the country’s history”. An election he described not just as a vote, but as a decisive step toward building a “New Bangladesh.”
“We took office with three core mandates: Reform, justice, and election. By the next Eid of Ramadan, we aim to reach a visible point in delivering justice and reforms. The final phase will be fulfilled with a peaceful transfer of power through a democratic election in April,” he said.
He emphasized that the country’s long history of political instability has been rooted in flawed electoral processes, saying past elections were manipulated and a “national crime” that allowed fascism to flourish. Yunus warned political parties and citizens alike that a failed or unfair election could plunge Bangladesh back into crisis. “This is not just a matter of holding elections,” he said. “It is about rescuing the future of the nation from a broken past.”
“In this way, we will be able to implement the mandate you have entrusted to us, even if it is minimal. In that regard, and in order to organize the most free, fair, competitive, and acceptable election in history, we have it discussed with all parties. In addition, after reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reforms and elections, I am announcing today that the next national elections will be held sometime in the first half of April 2026. Based on this announcement, the Election Commission will provide you with a detailed roadmap for the elections in due course,” he said.
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No corridor for Myanmar, ‘a story of deception’
In his speech, Yunus categorically denied claims that his government had granted a territorial corridor to Myanmar through Rakhine, calling it a “complete fabrication” aimed at destabilizing the political landscape.
“This is a story of deception. Some vested groups are trying to mislead the people of Bangladesh by inventing untrue narratives and stirring unrest. Let me be clear: There is no such corridor, and we urge the public not to fall prey to this false propaganda,” he said.
Yunus suggested that the rumours were part of a wider effort by the remnants of the ousted regime and their allies—both domestic and foreign—to undermine national unity and derail the reform process initiated after the July uprising. “We will not give them that opportunity,” he said.
“We have noticed that propaganda is being spread that Bangladesh has provided a corridor for Rakhine. I am saying clearly, this is a complete lie. This is a story of deception. This is the work of those who are constantly misleading the people of Bangladesh by creating untrue stories and creating unrest. You should be careful about this. Do not be misled in any way. Despite this propaganda, we will not deviate from our goal. We will continue our work to solve this complex problem,” he said.
Spotlight on Chittagong port
In a major policy highlight in the nearly hour-long speech, he detailed the government’s strategic plan to overhaul and expand Chittagong Port, calling it the “heart of the Bangladeshi economy” and a critical artery for regional prosperity.
Yunus dismissed allegations that control of the port was being handed over to foreign powers. He clarified that the government has partnered with global port management experts—from countries including Canada, South Korea, Turkey, China, and India—not to cede control, but to train Bangladeshis in international-standard port operations.
“I guarantee you, if we learn port management properly by 2031, by 2036 our people will be managing ports across the world,” he said.
He envisioned the entire coastal belt from Kumira to Teknaf becoming a regional economic hub, serving neighbouring landlocked nations like Nepal and Bhutan and strengthening Bangladesh’s position as a South Asian trade leader.
“If our port is modern, it will not only play a role in the economy of Bangladesh, but we will also be able to play a positive role in the economies of all neighboring countries, including Nepal and Bhutan. This port will be the key to the prosperity of the economy of this region,” he added.
Economic revival, attack on Hasina
Yunus also used the address to outline signs of economic recovery, stating that Bangladesh’s economy has stabilized significantly since his interim administration came to power following the July uprising.
He described the situation inherited from the previous regime as worse than “a war-torn country,” blaming 16 years of authoritarian rule for widespread corruption, looting, and a near-collapse of public institutions.
“We have tried our best to bring the people of the country out of the looting system,” he said. “Mega projects had become mega robbery projects.”
Without going into specifics, Yunus also attacked former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “The fallen dictatorship ruled by abductions and brutality. The former Prime Minister’s name was used to rename everything from cantonments to bridges, in an attempt to erase the nation’s true identity,” he said, adding that over 1,000 such names have been reversed under his administration.
He announced plans for a ‘July Charter’ to be drafted in collaboration with political parties, students, and civil society. It will consolidate agreed-upon reforms and outline a shared national vision. He encouraged all parties to endorse this charter, saying it would be a binding promise to the people of Bangladesh.
“We must always remember that the fallen fascism and its domestic and foreign allies are trying to obstruct the joint efforts to build a new Bangladesh step by step. They are engaged in various forms of propaganda. They will always want to defeat the power of national unity created through the July coup, derail the efforts to implement democratic aspirations and re-establish Bangladesh,” he said.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)