National Desk:
The government on Monday reaffirmed that the next parliamentary elections will be held in the first half of February 2026, following an emergency meeting of the Council of Advisers chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO).
Announcing the decision, Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul told a press briefing at the CAO’s Karabi Hall that the meeting reiterated the government’s commitment to conducting the upcoming polls within the specified timeframe. He said the session primarily focused on finalising the July National Charter (Constitutional Amendment) Order proposed by the National Consensus Commission, alongside discussions regarding the organization and content of an upcoming national referendum.
“The Council reaffirmed that the elections will be held in the first half of February 2026,” Dr Nazrul said. “The meeting expressed deep appreciation for the Consensus Commission and all political parties for their continued cooperation and contributions in achieving agreement on major reform issues.”
The law adviser stated that while the Consensus Commission had made substantial progress in formulating the National Charter, certain differences of opinion had persisted among political parties—particularly over the timing and subject matter of the proposed referendum. These disagreements, he said, were noted with concern by the Council.
“In view of these differences, the meeting underscored the importance of taking a final decision on both the timeframe and the content of the referendum,” Dr Nazrul explained. “The Council stressed the need to find a way to reconcile the varying perspectives reflected in the July Charter.”
He further said the Council of Advisers urged the long-standing allied political parties of the anti-fascist movement to hold further consultations and provide unified recommendations to the government at the earliest possible date, ideally within the next seven days. The aim, he added, is to ensure that the electoral roadmap and referendum process proceed smoothly and with the broadest possible political consensus.
The government’s reaffirmation comes amid heightened public and political anticipation regarding the timeline for the next general elections, which will mark a critical step in the country’s ongoing political transition following the events of July 2024. The Chief Adviser-led interim administration has repeatedly pledged to deliver a transparent, participatory, and credible electoral process in accordance with the reforms outlined in the July Charter.
According to officials, the July National Charter proposes several constitutional and institutional reforms designed to strengthen democratic governance, enhance electoral integrity, and consolidate the rule of law. The finalisation of this framework, along with the associated referendum, is considered essential for ensuring that the upcoming elections are held under a restructured and broadly accepted constitutional arrangement.
Monday’s meeting was attended by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, among others.
The press briefing concluded with assurances that further details regarding the referendum’s content, schedule, and implementation mechanism would be announced following the next round of consultations among the political parties and the Consensus Commission.