February polls on track

Bangla Press Desk: The interim government is preparing to hold the 13th parliamentary election in early February 2026, as announced by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus earlier this month, with the Army pledging full cooperation to ensure neutrality, and the Election Commission finalising its roadmap to restore voter confidence and maintain law and order. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s determination to keep to the announced timeline. Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet Division meeting, he said, “According to the chief adviser’s announcement, we are determined to hold the elections in February. The government won’t backtrack from the announcement.” He added that the administration will leave office following the elections and stressed that political parties’ differing statements on the timing are part of the political process.

The Bangladesh Army has also voiced its readiness to support a free and impartial election. Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said on Tuesday that the force has “made all necessary preparations to support the government in holding a free and neutral election.” He emphasised professionalism and discipline within the ranks while noting that allegations of misconduct against personnel would be investigated and addressed strictly on evidence, not “media trials.”

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is finalising its roadmap for the February polls, with a schedule expected in December. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that the draft action plan has already been prepared and will be published within the week. Key challenges include restoring voter confidence, maintaining law and order, and enabling expatriate participation through postal ballots. The EC has also pledged that officials previously implicated in electoral irregularities will not be engaged this time.

International partners have extended their support as well. European Union Ambassador Michael Miller on Tuesday announced a €4 million package to help Bangladesh conduct elections in line with international standards. The funds will go towards strengthening the EC’s planning capacity, dispute resolution mechanisms, and citizen observation initiatives. Government’s firm stance on February polls Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul made it clear that the interim administration remains steadfast in its pledge to hold elections in February 2026.

“On behalf of the government, we are saying in unequivocal terms that the elections will be completed in February,” he told journalists, underlining that the responsibility rests with the government, not political parties. Dr Nazrul also referred to Prof Yunus as a “globally respected figure,” stressing that there is no question of deviating from his commitment. While acknowledging political debates over the “July Declaration” and the “July Charter”, he described these as familiar aspects of Bangladesh’s electoral discourse, not as obstacles to the polls. The election, he said, will mark a new chapter after the Sheikh Hasina government’s fall in August 2024, when the then-prime minister resigned and fled to India following weeks of mass protests. Army’s assurance of neutrality The Bangladesh Army has pledged its full cooperation to ensure that the upcoming polls are held in a free, fair, and neutral manner. Addressing officers at Dhaka Cantonment, Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said, “The country is heading towards elections. The Army has made all necessary preparations to support the government in holding a free and neutral election.” He instructed officers to remain professional, uphold discipline, and “maintain good relations with everyone,” while warning that any proven links with political activities or misconduct would be met with firm action. General Waker noted that army personnel have been deployed in the field for longer than in previous years and stressed that “no one will be punished based on media trials.” Instead, action would follow only when allegations are proven, including those related to political affiliations or moral misconduct. EC’s roadmap The Election Commission is in the final stages of preparing a detailed action plan for the February 2026 polls. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Monday that the roadmap would be unveiled within the week, with the election schedule to be announced in December, leaving 50–60 days before voting day. Preparations for the February 2026 election are already well underway in several areas. In terms of boundary delimitation, a total of 1,596 objections were filed across 82 constituencies, with hearings scheduled for late August to resolve the issues. Meanwhile, the Election Commission is carefully verifying political parties seeking registration. Out of 145 applicants, the credentials of 22 parties are currently under field investigation to ensure compliance with the rules. At the same time, at least 318 organisations have applied for observer accreditation, reflecting an increased focus on transparency and oversight in the electoral process. Efforts are also ongoing to update the legal framework. Forty-four amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) are in the final stage of preparation and will be sent to the Ministry of Law for approval. The voter list is another major focus area. The final version is scheduled to be published on 31 August, with a supplementary list to include young and newly eligible voters expected to follow in October. For the first time, expatriates will be able to cast their votes via postal ballots, supported by an IT-based registration app to be launched later this year. Akhtar Ahmed also assured that those involved in past electoral irregularities would not be appointed for the upcoming polls. Around 925,000 polling officials are expected to be deployed, drawn mainly from the civil service, education, and banking sectors. International support The European Union has pledged €4 million in assistance to help the Election Commission strengthen its capacity and ensure compliance with international standards. Ambassador Michael Miller announced the package after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday. “The European Union is here working in partnership with Bangladesh in support of a transition that will lead up to democratic elections,” he said, adding that the funding would be used for capacity-building, dispute resolution, planning, and citizen observation. Representatives from the European Partnership for Democracy accompanied Miller, underscoring the EU’s commitment to technical and expert support in the lead-up to the polls.

February polls on track

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