Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) and leader of the 12-party alliance, Mustafa Jamal Haider, said on Saturday that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is expected to announce the date of the upcoming national parliamentary election within the next four to five days.
Speaking to reporters outside the State Guest House Jamuna in the afternoon, following a meeting between the Chief Adviser and representatives of 14 political parties and alliances, Haider said: “The Chief Adviser has informed us that he will announce the election date in four to five days. There could be no better news.”
Analysts said that, under normal circumstances, the Election Commission announces the election schedule and final date. However, given the current extraordinary situation, the Chief Adviser may indicate a probable date. His earlier statement suggested that the election could take place in mid-February 2026.
Haider emphasised that elections are the only viable solution to the current state of political turmoil. “The elections will help resolve many of the ongoing crises,” he added.
The meeting marks a continuation of the Chief Adviser’s ongoing dialogue with political stakeholders. Prior to Saturday, he held two rounds of discussions with leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political alliances. This afternoon’s meeting included leaders from 14 additional political groups.
Among those in attendance was Bobby Hajjaj of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). He said that the Chief Adviser will soon announce when the election will be held in alignment with the July roadmap and what the process will be.
However, concerns were also raised in the meeting.
Bhasani Janashakti Party Chairman Rafiqul Islam Bablu informed the Chief Adviser that law and order remains unstable, partly due to what they described as a “government within the government.” They questioned how free and fair elections could be held without first improving the security situation.
Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran demanded the resignation of the Health Adviser. He also condemned a move to allow the United Nations to open a mission in its Bangladesh office.
Others who joined the meeting included Aminul Haque Tipu Biswas of the Jatiya Gonofront, Maulana Abdul Majed Athari from the Nejam-e-Islam Party, Maulana Yusuf Ashraf of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bangladesh JASAD’s Dr. Mushtaq Hossain, Zaker Party Secretary General Shamim Haider, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Razi, BSD-Marxist Coordinator Masud Rana, and Manjurul Islam Afendi from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.
