Dhaka, Oct 23: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced concern over attempts by certain political parties to delay or derail the national election scheduled for early February 2026, according to local media reports.
“Unfortunately, we are noticing with frustration that some parties are trying to delay the election or prevent it from being held on time. This is not the right course of action,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a book unveiling event in Dhaka.
Fakhrul stressed the need for an elected political government to stabilise the country’s economy, politics, and education system. “The nation now urgently needs a political government through elections, as the country’s future depends on it,” he said.
Last week, Fakhrul reiterated that there would be “no compromise” on holding the national polls in February 2026, dismissing debates over the proportional representation (PR) system as distractions. Taking a veiled jab at Jamaat-e-Islami, he said, “A party is holding meetings about PR. If I myself don’t understand what PR means, how will the people? Let’s stop arguing and focus on a fair and timely election.”
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have demanded a referendum to implement the July National Charter before the election. Both parties made the demand during meetings with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday.
Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, “BNP agreed to the referendum but complicated matters by insisting it be held on the same day as the election. The referendum should happen by November to allow time for the polls afterward.”
The growing rift among parties that earlier supported Yunus’s interim government has deepened Bangladesh’s political uncertainty ahead of the crucial 2026 election.
