On the first anniversary of the ousting of the former Awami League government, Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to address the nation tonight.
Earlier in the day, he will formally read out the much-anticipated "July Declaration" at a public event in Dhaka.
Reliable sources suggest that Dr. Yunus may use the opportunity to call upon the Election Commission to organize the next general election before the holy month of Ramadan, potentially in February next year.
The July Declaration will be presented at 5 PM today at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, coinciding with the observance of "July People`s Uprising Day."
Representatives from all political parties, families of July martyrs, and wounded protestors are expected to attend. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organized day-long cultural programs on Manik Mia Avenue to mark the occasion.
According to multiple government sources, Dr. Yunus is expected to deliver a nationally televised speech tonight, highlighting his administration’s achievements over the past year and outlining plans for the upcoming election. While the exact timing of the speech is yet to be finalized, it is likely to take place before 8 PM.
A senior official has indicated that although Dr. Yunus is unlikely to announce a specific election date tonight, he will instruct the Election Commission to fix a date before Ramadan, possibly before February 17, 2026.
Following the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and reportedly took refuge in India.
Dr. Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government on August 8, 2024. Initially, the administration had planned to release the July Declaration on August 5 and deliver the national address on August 8, but Dr. Yunus opted to combine both events today to avoid emphasizing the date of his assumption of office.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Ajker Patrika that both the declaration and the address would take place today, with the declaration’s timing confirmed and the national address scheduled tentatively for tonight.
The address may include definitive guidance on the national election timeline and a roadmap for implementing the consensus reached during dialogues between the National Unity Commission and political parties.
On July 26, Dr. Yunus held a meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna with leaders of 14 political parties and alliances, where he pledged to announce an election timeframe within days.
After the meeting, Mustafa Jamal Haider, head of the 12-party alliance and chairman of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction), confirmed that the Chief Adviser promised to declare the election schedule within four to five days.
Additionally, on July 28, Dr. Yunus chaired a meeting with law enforcement agencies to discuss election security preparations.
He urged enhanced coordination among the military, police, and field-level officials to ensure a smooth electoral process. A similar meeting was held earlier on July 9.
In June, during a visit to London, Dr. Yunus met with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Following the meeting, a joint statement indicated that the general election would be held in the first half of April 2026. However, if reforms and legal proceedings progress sufficiently, the election could be brought forward to the week before Ramadan.
In his message commemorating the anniversary of the fall of autocracy, Dr. Yunus stated, "We remain committed to returning full power to the people through peaceful, free, and fair elections, accompanied by necessary political and electoral reforms through dialogue with all stakeholders."
President Md. Shahabuddin echoed these sentiments in his own message, saying, “The state is undergoing a broad-based reform process in the post-uprising period. These reforms will reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people and pave the way for a just and equitable new Bangladesh.”
