Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has announced that general elections are expected to take place either in late 2025 or early 2026. Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, was appointed as the country’s "chief adviser" following a student-led uprising in August that ousted long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The 84-year-old Yunus heads the caretaker government tasked with addressing what he describes as the "extremely tough" challenge of restoring democratic institutions in the nation of 170 million people. Pressure has been mounting on him to set a firm election date.

“Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026,” Yunus said in a televised address on state television.

The Fall of Sheikh HasinaSheikh Hasina, 77, fled Bangladesh by helicopter to neighboring India after thousands of protesters stormed the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka during the August revolution. Her 15-year tenure as prime minister was marred by allegations of widespread human rights abuses, including mass detentions, extrajudicial killings of political opponents, and the politicization of courts and the civil service. Critics also accused her government of engineering lopsided elections to consolidate power.

Reforms and Election TimelineYunus has emphasized the need for substantial reforms before holding elections. He has launched commissions to oversee these reforms, which include creating a flawless voter list and other measures to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

“Reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election,” Yunus said. He noted that if political parties agree to minimum reforms, such as finalizing the voter list, elections could be held as early as November 2025. However, completing the full list of reforms may delay the polls to early 2026.

The caretaker government, led by Yunus, faces the daunting task of bridging divides among political parties and addressing the public’s demand for greater transparency and accountability in governance.

This marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history, as the country attempts to transition back to democratic rule following years of alleged authoritarian practices under the previous regime.