Dhaka: Bangladesh is set to hold elections in February 2026, the country's interim leader and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus announced Tuesday. It will be the first election in Bangladesh since the mass uprising that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. "We will step into the final and most important phase after delivering this speech to you, and that is the transfer of power to an elected government," Yunus stated, emphasizing his administration's commitment to ensuring a fair and peaceful election process.
According to Deutsche Welle, the announcement came as thousands gathered in the capital, Dhaka, to commemorate the first anniversary of the youth-led uprising. The event, marked by rallies, concerts, and prayer sessions, was a celebration of what supporters are calling a "second liberation." During the commemorations, Yunus read out the "July Declaration," aiming to give constitutional recognition to the 2024 student-led uprising. "The people of Bangladesh express their desire that the student-people uprising of 2024 will get proper state and constitutional recognition," Yunus declared, with representatives of political parties in attendance.
He further explained that the "July Declaration" would be included in the schedule of the reformed constitution, as framed by the government elected in the forthcoming national election. "We must ensure that no future government can become fascist again," Yunus emphasized. "The state must be repaired in such a way that whenever signs of fascism are found anywhere, it can be eradicated immediately."
The ousting of Sheikh Hasina marked a significant moment in Bangladesh's political landscape. As the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, Hasina's 15-year tenure saw economic growth but also increased political suppression. Violent crackdowns on protests were frequent, with many opposition figures facing arrest. The tipping point came in July 2024 when young people protested against a government jobs quota that favored those who fought for independence in 1971 and their descendants. The protests, which were seen as benefiting Hasina's Awami League party, escalated into violent clashes, resulting in over 300 deaths. Protesters eventually stormed Hasina's official residence, forcing her to flee, defying a curfew and increased military pressure.