The Bangladesh government has reaffirmed its plan to hold the next national election in February, with officials dismissing calls from political parties to reconsider the timeline.
Dr Asif Nazrul, adviser on law, justice and parliamentary affairs, told reporters on Tuesday that the government remains committed to the date announced by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
“The government is moving forward with all preparations for the election. The polls will be held in February, and the government’s stance on this remains unwavering,” he said after a Cabinet Division meeting.
Nazrul emphasized that responsibility for the timing rests with the government, not political parties. “On behalf of the government, we are saying in unequivocal terms that the election will be completed in February,” he added.
Asked about ongoing political statements questioning the schedule, he said such rhetoric is part of Bangladesh’s long-standing political process. “Traditionally in Bangladesh, such political statements have been made, and the same is happening now. There has not been any major qualitative change in this discourse,” he said.
He also described Yunus, who heads the interim government, as a “globally respected figure” and said there was no question of deviating from his commitment.
Beyond the election timeline, Nazrul spoke about reforms targeting corruption in state projects. He referred to past scandals involving inflated costs and said the government is moving to strengthen oversight.
“You all know what happened in the pillow scandal. We do not want to see such scandals again,” he said. “That is why we are trying to amend laws based on the recommendations made by the ACC Reform Commission. An experienced consultant has been appointed, and he will start work from today.”
He noted that project cost inflation falls under the Planning and Finance ministries, while his office will focus on high-level corruption cases. He characterised the fortification of the Anti-Corruption Commission as a constituent element of that strategy.
Those statements emerge during a period of pronounced political strain in Bangladesh, as opposition parties call for definitive information regarding the timing of the impending elections. Presently, government actors seem resolved to conduct the elections on the prescribed timetable, even as they pursue administrative reforms in parallel.
