Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reaffirmed its unwavering demand for national elections to be held by December this year, dismissing the proposed timeline of early April next year announced by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
In a televised address to the nation on Friday (June 6), Dr. Yunus indicated that the national elections would be held in the first half of April 2026.
In response, the BNP convened an emergency meeting of its National Standing Committee the same night.
Presided over by party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, the committee firmly resolved to stick to their demand for holding the elections no later than December 2025.
BNP expressed concern over logistical challenges associated with holding elections in April, citing potential weather disruptions and the overlap with the holy month of Ramadan, which they believe would hinder election campaigns and related activities.
The party also criticized the Chief Adviser for failing to clearly explain in his speech why elections could not be held within this year.
In a statement to the media, the BNP emphasized the urgency of protecting citizens' voting rights and warned against what they described as unnecessary delays.
They also blamed a “particular political group” for obstructing the electoral process and influencing the caretaker government.
"Though the non-partisan caretaker government speaks of building consensus, it appears to be increasingly influenced by a specific political faction," the BNP statement said.
"By disregarding the views of the majority of political parties and compromising its own neutrality, the interim government is raising legitimate concerns among the public about the possibility of a truly free and fair election."
