Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facing pressure from powerful political parties to hold elections by December. Amid threats to the caretaker setup, Yunus is set to meet with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami later on Saturday.
Yunus, who leads the caretaker government following a mass uprising last year, has called for the rival political parties to support him in implementing democratic reforms before the elections. The BNP, seen as front-runners in the upcoming elections, is pushing for polls to be held by December.
The South Asian nation of around 170 million people has been in political turmoil since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country in August 2024. Yunus, who returned from exile at the request of protesters, has emphasized the need for democratic reforms before holding elections.
Yunus has indicated that elections could be held as early as December, but he has also suggested a deadline of June to allow more time for necessary changes. However, BNP supporters have threatened to withdraw their support if a specific election date is not announced by December.
In addition to pressure from political parties, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has also stated that elections should be held by December, aligning with the BNP’s demands. The military’s stance on the matter is significant in a country with a history of military coups.
Jamaat-e-Islami has also protested against the government, demanding changes such as the abolition of a women’s commission seeking equality. Meanwhile, other political parties, including the National Citizen Party, are calling for fundamental reforms to the governance system before elections are held.
The ongoing political tensions and demands from various factions indicate the challenges facing Yunus and the caretaker government as they navigate the path towards holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh. With pressure mounting from multiple fronts, Yunus is striving to maintain stability and unity in the country amidst the political turmoil.
