Uncertainty and anxiety continue to mount among the country’s largest political party, the BNP, and its allies in the ongoing simultaneous movement, as doubts loom over the timeline for the next national parliamentary elections. Party insiders and allied leaders believe that the election process is being deliberately delayed, and the government has yet to clarify when the long-anticipated polls will be held.

At times, December 2025 is cited as the target, while at others, officials vaguely mention “no later than June 2026.” Adding to the confusion, various government advisers have been making conflicting statements—some even expressing hopes of remaining in power for another five years. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) is believed to be using the excuse of reform to stall elections, while the roles of Jamaat-e-Islami and a few others remain ambiguous. As a result, doubts persist over whether elections will happen at all. Some leaders even detect the scent of both domestic and foreign conspiracies.

In this context, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman recently warned his party members, “Propaganda is circulating on social media against the BNP. I warned you about this eight months ago. An invisible opposition is gradually becoming visible, and others are joining them. The BNP is capable of confronting this. We must remain vigilant and respond strategically.”

No roadmap fuels distrust

On 16 April, a high-level BNP delegation met with Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus for a second round of discussions on the election. They demanded a definitive election date and roadmap, but the Chief Adviser only reiterated that the election would take place between December 2025 and June 2026—without offering any clear timeline or specifics. This lack of clarity has only deepened scepticism among opposition leaders regarding the government’s intentions.

BNP and allied leaders also suspect that certain political groups, particularly those unlikely to win more than 5–10 percent of votes in a free and fair election, are actively working to delay the process. “Why would unelected players in power want an election? They’re already enjoying its perks,” one senior leader commented.

Mixed messages cause political disarray

Mirza Abbas, a member of BNP’s National Standing Committee and former mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation, said: “There are no signs of an early election. We are now hearing two dates—December and June. This inconsistency is embarrassing and fuels public confusion.”

Similarly, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed noted that the BNP was “not satisfied” with the April 16 meeting. “The Chief Adviser previously spoke of a December election. Two months on, there is still no clarity or roadmap. This causes doubt,” he said, adding that dialogue continues among like-minded parties.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused the interim government of “dilly-dallying” on the election. “This government is a product of democratic struggle. They must be accountable to the people,” he said. He urged Dr Yunus to meet the people’s expectations and finalise reforms by December to ensure timely elections.

Allies demand clear reform-election roadmap

ASM Abdur Rob, President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), urged the interim government to declare a roadmap combining state reform and election plans. “Only with a coordinated roadmap based on national consensus can we ensure meaningful change. A national charter should be formulated with input from political parties and civil society to lay the groundwork for credible polls.”

LDP President Col (Retd) Dr Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, accused the interim government of wasting time on “performance theatrics” instead of implementing agreed reforms. “We’ve long called for elections in December. The government should publish a roadmap with a specific date to dispel public anxiety.”

Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad, convener of the nationalist alliance and chairman of the National People's Party, warned that if elections are not held by December, they likely won’t happen in June either due to the Ramadan period, national exams, and seasonal disasters. “Conflicting statements from advisers and the government’s silence are fuelling public uncertainty. It’s time to announce a clear electoral roadmap and dispel doubts,” he said.