The interim government was installed on 8 August 2024 following a mass uprising by students and the general public, which toppled the previous fascist Awami League regime led by autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina on 5 August.

Since its inception, political parties have been demanding that national elections be held as soon as possible to facilitate a democratic transition.

Anti-fascist political parties had long been engaged in movements and protests for nearly half a decade, demanding free, fair and neutral elections under a non-partisan caretaker government.

However, Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime held unilateral and largely symbolic elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024, remaining in power through what critics allege was extensive use of state machinery and systematic destruction of democratic institutions.

Amid pressure from political parties—especially the major opposition party BNP – Prof Yunus met with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London on 13 June, where they reached an understanding that parliamentary elections would be held in February 2026, ahead of the month of Ramadan.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman also urged the government several times to hold the national election by February, or at least before Ramadan.

In a televised address to the nation on 5 August, Prof Yunus confirmed that the next general election would indeed be held in February 2026.

“February is not far away. The days of preparation will pass quickly, and soon it will be Election Day. After so many years of being denied our votes, this time we will all vote. No one will be left behind,” he said.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin reiterated on Wednesday that preparations are underway to hold the 13th parliamentary election in February, ahead of Ramadan.

Following this announcement, the Chief Adviser’s Office formally sent a letter to the Election Commission on Wednesday, instructing it to organise the national polls in February next year.

Although some parties expressed mixed reactions regarding the announcement process, all have welcomed the decision to hold the election in February.

At a press conference on Thursday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Prof Yunus during an Advisory Council meeting, saying: “Our first chapter ended on 5 August. The second chapter now begins, with the key task being to hold the next national election fairly.”

When asked about political parties’ positions on the timing of the polls, he said the parties have welcomed the decision.

“The government will strive to deliver the best possible election. In the meantime, the Election Commission has started its work. The administration is also preparing for the polls,” he added.

While political parties still hold varying opinions on electoral matters, most have now turned their full attention to contesting the February election following the formation of the interim government and the announcement of the election schedule.

Several parties have already completed the initial selection of potential candidates for the upcoming polls.

Speaking to the Daily Sun, several BNP leaders confirmed that the party is actively preparing for the election, with many nomination hopefuls already launching unofficial campaigns in their constituencies.

“We are always ready to contest elections. Preparations such as finalising nominations will be completed once the official schedule is declared,” said BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku.

Asked about candidates, he added, “We currently have five to seven potential candidates vying for nomination in each constituency. We aim to select the most suitable contenders from among them.”

Another BNP Standing Committee member, Salahuddin Ahmed, told the Daily Sun, “BNP is always prepared for elections. We are an election-oriented political party and have long been struggling for the right to vote.”

“We will share parliamentary seats with our allies, though we have yet to finalise the number of seats to be allocated,” he added.

According to party insiders, the BNP is expected to share around 70 to 80 seats with its allies in the upcoming election. While it may accommodate candidates from Jamaat, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Gono Odhikar Parishad, it is unlikely to form a formal coalition with these parties.

Saiful Huq, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh – a component of Ganatantra Manch – confirmed they would contest the polls in alliance with the BNP.

“BNP has assured us of seat-sharing arrangements,” he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has also entered full-fledged election mode, having initially selected candidates for around 95 constituencies.

Speaking to the Daily Sun, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “We’ve already begun our election preparations.” Asked whether seat-sharing with the BNP was on the table, he responded, “Time will tell what happens.”

Jamaat Publicity Secretary Motiur Rahman Akand added, “We have already preliminarily selected candidates for around 295 constituencies. Final decisions will be made after the election schedule is officially announced.”

He also said Jamaat is working to form an alliance with several political parties, including Islamist groups.

“The National Citizen Party (NCP) and Gono Odhikar Parishad may also join our alliance. Discussions are ongoing.”

Sources from various parties said Jamaat aims to emerge as a strong opposition force in the next parliament and is working towards forming alliances that will help secure a significant number of seats.

Similarly, other political parties are also striving to gain parliamentary representation and are seeking concessions from the BNP in terms of seat-sharing.

Meanwhile, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that, if voted to power, his party will form a national government.

“A national government cannot include everyone, but only those who stood with us during the movement,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the Daily Sun.

However, political analysts note that it remains difficult to predict how parliamentary seats will be shared among parties in the upcoming election or to foresee the exact electoral landscape.

They suggest that the next election could result in a drastically different scenario, possibly beyond current expectations.

Still, many experts are optimistic that the country is on course for a democratic transition following 18 months under the non-partisan interim government.

In an interview with Reuters in September last year, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman pledged unwavering support for the interim government “come what may”, stressing the need to complete key reforms following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster so that elections could be held within 18 months.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman and the armed forces remained neutral during the early August student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina’s resignation and flight to neighbouring India.

He stated that a democratic transition should occur within 12-18 months, while urging the public to remain patient.

“If you ask me, then I would say that should be the time frame by which we enter a democratic process,” the Army chief said.