Interim government leader Professor Muhammad Yunus has announced that Bangladesh's next national election will take place before Ramadan in 2026, likely in February.

The announcement came during a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening, following the public unveiling of the July Declaration at the South Plaza of the National Parliament.

“This marks the beginning of the final and most important phase of our responsibility—preparing the way for a newly elected government,” Yunus stated in his address. “From today, we are officially initiating the process of transferring power through a democratic mandate.”

Yunus confirmed that a formal request will soon be sent to the Election Commission, urging it to schedule the vote for February 2026, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Calling for unity and public participation, he said, “I ask for your prayers and cooperation so that we can hold a successful election—one that reflects the hopes of every citizen and strengthens our path toward a ‘New Bangladesh.’ The interim government is fully committed to ensuring a peaceful, fair, and inclusive electoral process.”

He went on to stress that preparations will begin immediately, both at the institutional and societal levels. “Starting tomorrow, we will begin mobilizing efforts to make this election a milestone in our democratic history—marked by peace, high voter engagement, and mutual respect.”

The Chief Adviser also issued a warning against any attempts to disrupt the process, saying, “Certain groups are actively working—both domestically and internationally—to sabotage the election. Their aim is to destabilize our democracy.”

Yunus urged the public to remain vigilant, noting that these “defeated forces” may attempt to provoke unrest. “Only a transparent, credible election can ensure they are permanently sidelined.”

To promote citizen involvement and transparency, he also announced the development of a new digital platform. “A mobile app is being prepared that will allow citizens to directly provide feedback, share ideas, raise concerns, and contribute to the electoral process,” he said.