On 25 March, in his speech to the nation marking Independence Day, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed that the national election would take place between December and June. This was not new information, as he had previously stated in various forums and interviews that he aimed to hold the election by December. Many expected that, on the occasion of Independence Day, he would announce a concrete roadmap for the election, but that did not happen. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed disappointment over this.  

Given the current political and social climate in Bangladesh, there is no alternative to a swift election. The longer the election is delayed, the greater the risk of conflict, violence, and political complications. Prolonged uncertainty will lead to national instability and a growing sense of negativity among the public. A delay in elections will only provide room for conspiracies to flourish. The only way forward is to hold the national election as soon as possible.  

For the past eight months, the interim government has been struggling to navigate complex and challenging circumstances. The situation is becoming increasingly difficult over time. Take the law-and-order situation, for instance. Despite repeated efforts over the past seven months to improve security, sudden incidents have repeatedly disrupted progress. There has been no lasting improvement in law and order, and no effective control has been established.  

One major reason for the deteriorating security situation is the ineffectiveness of the police force. Officers have not been able to work with full confidence and morale. The interim government has failed to gain their trust, making it nearly impossible to mobilise them effectively. Since an interim government has no fixed tenure, law enforcement agencies remain uncertain about the future. However, an elected government would have a clear mandate and timeframe, allowing all institutions to function accordingly.  

Since 5 August, numerous police stations have been attacked, and weapons have been looted by criminals. However, there has been no effective response to recover these arms. The interim government’s ability to address this issue remains questionable. Over the past seven months, there has been little effort to retrieve illegal weapons, despite repeated statements from the Home Adviser. Instead, concerns over illegal arms proliferation have only grown, further exacerbating security risks.  

Over the past seven months, political divisions have deepened. The BNP and Jamaat have drifted further apart, and the newly formed National Citizens’ Party has ideological differences with the BNP. More concerning is the increasing violence between BNP and the National Citizens’ Party in various locations. If this violence escalates, Bangladesh’s political landscape will face long-term instability, making a timely election even more crucial.  

The interim government has proposed several reforms, which have been presented to political parties for discussion. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has stated that the government will move forward based on points of consensus among political parties. Given this, a roadmap for the election should now be finalised based on the feedback received. The prevailing uncertainty and anxiety in the country must be addressed urgently.  

Investment in Bangladesh has stalled due to political uncertainty. The economy is now almost entirely dependent on remittances, while foreign investments have dropped alarmingly. Despite official economic data, private sector entrepreneurs are losing interest in investing. The overall economic landscape has become stagnant.  

During Ramadan, the interim government managed to stabilise prices, with some goods even becoming cheaper compared to last year. However, this was achieved through temporary measures such as reducing import duties, which is not a sustainable solution. The public remains uncertain about the government’s long-term economic plans.  

Several negative aspects of the July Revolution have surfaced. Questions have been raised about the financial sources and activities of leaders from the newly formed National Citizens’ Party, particularly those involved in the revolution. Their sudden rise in wealth and extravagant lifestyle have attracted public scrutiny. One leader’s grand political rally, featuring a convoy of over a hundred vehicles, even shocked BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Such ostentatious displays have sparked controversy, damaging the reputation of the revolution’s leaders.  

The revolution led to the downfall of an autocratic regime. However, as time passes, the former autocrats are reorganising and spreading misinformation to manipulate public sentiment. The longer the election is delayed, the more opportunities they will have to regain influence.  

Over the past seven months, attempts have been made to drag the Bangladesh Armed Forces into political controversy. A section of society is trying to question the integrity of the military, which could lead to a major national crisis. The military has been deployed outside cantonments for an extended period, which is not a positive sign. To protect the integrity of the armed forces, a swift election is necessary so that they can return to their primary duties.  

It must be remembered that the interim government is a temporary arrangement, not a long-term solution. The only way to ensure lasting stability is through a free, fair, and impartial election. Power must be transferred to an elected government that represents the people. Relying on a temporary government for too long creates opportunities for conspiracies and further instability.  

Foreign nations remain hesitant to establish long-term diplomatic relations with an interim government. Without an elected government, major international agreements cannot be signed. This further weakens Bangladesh’s position on the global stage.  

There is only one way forward—holding elections without delay. A transparent and credible election will ensure that the people’s representatives take charge of governance. Regardless of who wins, the new leadership must uphold the ideals of the July Revolution and work towards the promised reforms. Those responsible for past atrocities and crimes must be brought to justice.  

If the election is delayed, political divisions will deepen, public frustration will rise, law and order will deteriorate, and economic activities will stagnate. The longer the uncertainty persists, the more Bangladesh risks falling into chaos. The only viable solution is to organise a democratic transition through elections as soon as possible.