Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced on Friday that general elections will be held in April 2026, marking the first democratic vote since the mass uprising of 2024 that led to the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
“I am announcing to the citizens of the country that the election will be held on any day in the first half of April 2026,” Yunus said, as quoted by AFP.
Background: 2024 Uprising and Hasina’s Ouster
In August 2024, widespread anti-government protests—initially triggered by opposition to the job quota system—morphed into a nationwide movement against corruption and authoritarianism. The crackdown by security forces left over 300 dead and led to more than 10,000 arrests.
Amid the chaos, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, and the Bangladeshi military declared the formation of a caretaker government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was appointed Chief Adviser.
Charges Against Hasina
On June 1, Bangladeshi prosecutors at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) formally charged Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity during the crackdown on protesters. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the charges include orchestrating a “systemic attack” on demonstrators.
Other co-accused include:
- Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Home Minister
- Chowdhury Mamun, former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam claimed the former leaders were directly responsible for the violent suppression of civil dissent.
Pledge for Democratic Transition
The interim administration, backed by the military, has committed to:
- Overhauling the judicial system
- Enforcing institutional reforms
- Ensuring free and fair elections by mid-2026
With the announcement, the government is aiming to stabilize the country and restore international confidence in Bangladesh’s democratic process.