Bangladesh
Bangladesh likely to hold national polls in late 2025 or early 2026, says Yunus in Victory Day speech
Bangladesh's interim government head Muhammad Yunus has said the national elections in the country -- which has been witnessing a political turmoil since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August -- may take place late next year or in the first half of 2026.
Addressing Bangladesh on its Victory Day, Yunus was quoted as saying by The Daily Star: "Everything takes time. If we want to improve the election process and implement the necessary recommendations, the Election Commission should be given sufficient time to carry out these reforms."
The microfinance pioneer and Nobel laureate said: "And if, in view of the electoral process and the recommendations of the Electoral Reforms Commission and if we add in the expected level of reform based on the national consensus, it could take at least another six months, roughly between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026."
Yunus and his interim government took charge of the nation just three days after Hasina's regime collapsed and she fled to neighbouring India amid violent protests over a job quota issue.
However, the Muslim-majority nation is witnessing a spike in atrocities committed against Hindu and other minority communities during the current tenure of the interim government.
Last Tuesday, the interim government acknowledged that 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities were reported in the country, following the fall of the previous government on August 5.
Interim government head Muhammad Yunus' press secretary Shafiqul Alam recently confirmed 70 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.
Alam was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune: “A total of 88 cases have been filed in the country regarding communal violence from August 5 to October 22."
He said: "And 70 people have been arrested so far on charges of involvement in communal attacks."
He said people involved with the incidents will be arrested.
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