Yunus-led government's tenure set to be less than two years?

The next election time announced by Chief Adviser Yunus has ended speculation about the tenure of his government.

As per his announcement, elections are expected to be held in December 2025, or the first half of 2026. The interim government's tenure will then be less than two years.

As it stands, the Yunus-led government, sworn in on 8 August following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, will have the second-highest tenure after the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led government.

Although the government had been adamant that it would only call elections after the culmination of crucial reforms, major political parties asked for the announcement of the polls' date as the most urgent need of the hour.

Many have also said most reforms can be done by a government elected by the people.

It is important to note that an interim government, unlike a caretaker one, isn't shackled by a 90-day maximum term reserved for the latter according to the Constitution.

Bangladesh's political landscape has been marked by periodic transitions of power under interim or caretaker governments.

Most of these administrations were only tasked with overseeing free and fair elections, ensuring political neutrality.

The first of its kind

The first such government came about between 1990-91, following the ouster of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who had ruled Bangladesh since 1982.

In 1990, the three-party alliances – BNP, AL and the 5 Leftist parties – jointly made a demand for a better election environment.

In the domino effect that followed, General Ershad appointed Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed as the Vice President.

The three-party alliance nominated Shahabuddin as chief advisor.

He then became the acting president at Ershad's departure and formed the first advisory government of the country.

He successfully administered the general elections held in February 1991, holding power for approximately four months.

With the Constitutional stamp

The lead-up to the 1996 elections was rife with political chaos mostly stemming from three parties disagreeing with how the head of the caretaker government would be selected. Agitations and hartals followed.

The BNP government, led by Khaleda Zia, amended the Constitution in 1996 to introduce a provision for a caretaker government. Justice Habibur Rahman, the chief justice in 1995, became the chief adviser.

His government then conducted the June 1996 general elections. Power was transferred to the AL, led by Sheikh Hasina.

Habibur's tenure lasted approximately 3 months.

By letter of law

Following the completion of the Awami League's tenure, a caretaker government was again activated as per the constitutional provision.

The year 2001 saw a peaceful power transition after Hasina's tenure expired. Justice Latifur Rahman took over as chief adviser.

He oversaw the October 2001 general elections, where the BNP, under Khaleda Zia, assumed office following a peaceful transfer of power.

Latifur's tenure lasted around four months.

Another crisis, another play

By 2006, the political calm that swept the previous elections had all but dissipated. Political crisis was at an all-time high.

Justice KM Hasan was supposed to be the chief justice to lead the next caretaker government but declined amid huge opposition from AL. 

On the advice of the BNP, Iajuddin Ahmed assumed office as chief adviser, while holding on to his role as president, on 29 October 2006.

The Constitution also provided for the present to take over as the last option.

But this was not well received by the opposition. 

On 11 January 2007, a little over two months after taking office, Iajuddin stepped down from his post.

Military moves in

Following insistence by Hasina, Iajuddin's caretaker government underwent a shuffle.

A new military-backed caretaker government, led by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, took charge.

This government remained in power until the first week of January 2009, far exceeding its mandated tenure of 90 days.

Reforms included tackling corruption and restructuring electoral processes.

It successfully conducted the December 2008 general elections, which saw the Awami League win a landslide victory under Sheikh Hasina.

Fakhruddin's tenure lasted from January 2007 - December 2008, or around two years.

The end?

The Awami League government, elected in 2008, abolished the caretaker government system through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.

The amendment was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling declaring the caretaker system unconstitutional, though the court allowed its use for two more elections.

The next three general elections were held under the ruling party, leading to controversies over fairness and transparency.

Opposition parties, including the BNP, have since demanded the reinstatement of the caretaker system.