Bangladesh election 2026: Yunus pledges free and fair polls

Bangladesh election 2026: Dr. Yunus confirms free and fair polls in February, highlighting youth participation, EU support, and democratic reforms. Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that Bangladesh will hold free, fair, and transparent national elections in early February 2026. He made the commitment during a meeting with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), led by Munir Satouri, at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka on September 17, 2025.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that the election will take place before the holy month of Ramadan and will mark a “new chapter” in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

Youth Excitement and Democratic Renewal

The Chief Adviser highlighted the revival of student union elections in several universities—some after more than three decades—as a positive signal of renewed democratic participation. According to him, this has generated enthusiasm among the youth, many of whom will be voting for the first time in over 15 years.

He expressed confidence that record numbers of young voters will head to the polls, making the February election a truly historic moment.

European Lawmakers Welcome Bangladesh’s Progress

The one-hour dialogue with the European lawmakers focused on:

• Ongoing government reforms
• Democratic transition and good governance
• EU cooperation in Bangladesh’s development
• The continuing Rohingya humanitarian crisis

Several MEPs praised the interim government’s “extraordinary efforts” over the past 14 months and described Bangladesh as one of the few countries where the democratic situation seems to be moving in the right direction.

Call for Stronger International Support

Dr. Yunus thanked the European Union for its consistent support and urged further assistance for the over 1 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. He stressed the need to reopen schools in refugee camps that recently shut down due to funding shortages.

Lutfe Siddiqi, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy, also presented recent labor reforms, noting that these measures would strengthen Bangladesh-EU relations and help the country secure a more sustainable trade partnership.

A Defining Moment for Bangladesh

Dr. Yunus reaffirmed that the February election will be more than just a vote—it will be a turning point for the nation’s democracy. With widespread youth participation, international engagement, and reforms underway, he described the upcoming polls as a “new beginning” for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh election 2026.