Bangladesh to Hold Elections in February 2026, Says Interim Leader

Bangladesh will hold elections in February 2026. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who took over after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024, pledged a free and fair vote and plans to step down afterward.

Bangladesh is preparing to hold its next general elections in February 2026, according to an announcement made on Tuesday by the country’s interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Muhammad Yunus. The announcement comes at a pivotal time, marking the first major step toward restoring democratic governance after the country was shaken by a mass uprising that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration in 2024.

The planned elections will be the first since that nationwide protest movement, which initially erupted over a controversial quota system for government jobs but swiftly evolved into a far-reaching revolt against what many citizens described as years of authoritarian rule. The unrest culminated in Hasina stepping down from power in August 2024. Facing intense public pressure and mounting unrest, she fled the country and sought refuge in neighboring India.

The former prime minister’s resignation followed weeks of deadly protests, during which ordinary citizens—led primarily by students and young activists—took to the streets in unprecedented numbers. The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was a government policy that reserved 30% of all public sector jobs for veterans of the 1971 liberation war and their descendants. While supporters of the quota system argued it was a recognition of historical sacrifice, many young people viewed it as unfair and exclusionary, especially in a country grappling with high youth unemployment. Since Hasina’s party, the Awami League, had played a prominent role in the independence struggle, critics believed the policy primarily served to entrench political favoritism and perpetuate dynastic privilege.

What began as peaceful protests quickly spiraled into violent confrontations with security forces. In the weeks that followed, hundreds of protesters were killed and thousands more were injured or detained. The government declared curfews, deployed the military, and attempted to stifle dissent through internet blackouts and media restrictions. However, the protest movement only intensified. Defying the crackdown, demonstrators in Dhaka ultimately stormed the prime minister’s official residence—a symbolic and literal breaking point that forced Hasina to flee the country.

On the one-year anniversary of those dramatic events, Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation through a televised broadcast. In his speech, he confirmed that the interim government would formally request the Chief Election Commissioner to schedule the national elections before the beginning of Ramadan in February 2026. Yunus emphasized that the purpose of the transitional government is to facilitate a peaceful handover of power and ensure the restoration of democratic order.

“On behalf of the interim government, I will write a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting that the election be arranged before Ramadan in February 2026,” Yunus said, highlighting the urgency of returning the country to civilian rule.

He reaffirmed that he has no intention of remaining in power beyond the transition period. “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,” he said. His statement was seen as a reassurance to the public and political stakeholders wary of extended caretaker rule.

Yunus also promised that the election would be free, fair, and peaceful. He underscored the interim government’s responsibility to provide an open and secure environment in which all political parties could campaign and participate without fear of intimidation or repression.

In Dhaka, thousands of people gathered to mark the anniversary of the protest movement that led to Hasina’s ouster. The day was observed with rallies, prayer sessions, musical concerts, and other public events. Many citizens referred to the anniversary as a “second liberation,” drawing parallels to the original independence struggle of 1971. For many, the uprising symbolized a renewed demand for accountable governance, dignity, and justice.

During the commemorations, Yunus publicly read the “July Declaration”—a political manifesto developed by student leaders and civil society representatives in the wake of the 2024 uprising. The declaration seeks to grant official constitutional recognition to the movement that brought down the Hasina government.

“The people of Bangladesh express their desire that the student-people uprising of 2024 will get proper state and constitutional recognition,” Yunus said, speaking before a crowd that included leaders from various political parties.

He went on to declare that the July Declaration would be included in the schedule of the reformed constitution, which is expected to be drafted by the next democratically elected government. “The July Declaration will feature in the schedule of the reformed constitution as framed by the government formed through the next national election,” he stated.

Yunus further emphasized the need for constitutional safeguards to prevent any future slide into authoritarianism. “We must ensure that no future government can become fascist again. The state must be repaired in such a way that whenever signs of fascism are found anywhere, it can be eradicated immediately,” he said, drawing applause from those gathered.

Sheikh Hasina, who had governed Bangladesh for 15 continuous years, was the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history. Her tenure saw impressive economic growth and infrastructure development, but it was also increasingly marked by crackdowns on dissent, suppression of press freedom, and the jailing of political opponents. Over time, critics argued that her government had become autocratic and intolerant of dissent, leading to deep polarization in the country.

The events of 2024 exposed the depth of discontent among Bangladesh’s youth and civil society. While the country had made strides in economic development, the democratic backsliding and erosion of civil liberties sparked widespread alarm both domestically and internationally. The upcoming 2026 elections are now seen as a pivotal moment for the country to rebuild democratic institutions, restore public trust, and chart a new path forward.

As Bangladesh prepares for this next chapter, many citizens are watching closely to see whether the promises of reform, accountability, and constitutional change will be fulfilled—or once again fall short.