BNP calls for national polls by July-August

Highlights:

• BNP called for the 13th national election by July-August 2025
• They opposed holding local government elections before parliamentary polls
• Mirza Fakhrul said EC is prepared for national polls
• He criticised election delays, economic policies, including gas price hikes and tax increases
  

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The BNP has called for holding the 13th national election by the middle of this year, saying the reform is a continuous process and the party is committed to it.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (14 January) said it is possible to make that happen and urged the interim government to take immediate steps to prepare for the parliamentary election.

There should not be local government polls before this, Fakhrul added.

"We have repeatedly said there is no alternative to an elected government. This is the most important aspect of democracy. We believe the election is possible by mid-year, that is, by July-August this year," he said at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan.

"We call on the government, the Election Commission and all political parties to take measures to hold the election by mid-year in the greater interest of the country," he added.

At the press conference, Fakhrul mentioned that the BNP Standing Committee, chaired by the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, held a detailed discussion on the national election on 13 January night.

Sources say the issues of the next election among other political matters were discussed during the meeting. The party's high command gave its opinion for holding the national election in the middle of this year.

Referring to the chief adviser's previous statement that the election might take place either at the end of this year or by mid-2026, Fakhrul said, "There is no reason to delay the election this much."

He said, "We believe, as the Election Commission has already been formed and there is relative stability in governance, there is no reason to delay the national election further. Delays only deepen the political and economic crises."

On BNP's commitment to reforms, he said, "We have always been at the forefront of reforms. In 2016, we presented 'Vision 2030', and in 2023, we introduced a 31-point plan. Reform is an ongoing process, and we are committed to it."

At a separate event today, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also urged for the national election schedule to be announced without delay in the name of reforms.

"We are walking on the path of democracy amid international conspiracies. While reforms are necessary, it is imperative to ensure elections swiftly," Rizvi said at a winter clothing distribution programme in the Naodapara area of Rajshahi city yesterday.

Earlier, in mid-December last year, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the next general election can be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026 after accomplishing necessary state reforms. He also said a commission will be formed soon to build a national consensus, engaging with political parties.

'No local government election before parliamentary polls'

At the press conference, the BNP secretary general said, "There is no question of holding local government elections before the national parliamentary election. Our demand is for the national election first.

"Right now, the nation's entire focus is on the national parliamentary election."

Fakhrul said, "The last three national elections could not be held properly, and the people want to ensure a democratic transition through elections. You must understand, the local government does not run the country; it is the national parliament that governs, legislates, and forms the foundation of democracy."

He questioned the logic behind prioritising any election other than the national parliamentary election during such a critical period. "Where does the idea of holding other elections at this time even come from? Why think of delaying the election? This is the primary task to get the country back on track."

Criticising the gas price hike and the VAT and tax increase on essential goods, Fakhrul said these measures would escalate public suffering.

'Election Commission is ready'

Mirza Fakhrul also emphasised that the formalities for elections, such as updating the voter list, can be completed quickly.

He said, "Updating the voter list should not take more than a month. Other tasks like appointing presiding officers would take one to two months at most. Everything is ready.

"The Election Commission has also stated that they are ready to hold the national parliamentary election and clarified that conducting two elections simultaneously is not feasible. Therefore, in the national interest, the parliamentary election must take place."

The EC has yet to formally announce a date for the national election.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said on 12 January that the commission's full focus is on the next parliamentary polls, not any other elections.