DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim head of state, Mohammad Yunus, on Tuesday announced that general elections will be held in February 2026, as the country marked the first anniversary of the mass uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Thousands of citizens gathered across Dhaka to commemorate the day with rallies, prayer ceremonies, and concerts, celebrating the popular protests that led to the end of what many had described as an authoritarian regime. The central ceremony was held outside the Parliament building, where Mohammad Yunus delivered a national address and formally unveiled the “July Declaration.”
The declaration called for the 2024 student-led and public uprising to be granted full constitutional recognition. “The people of Bangladesh want the revolution of 2024 to be acknowledged at the state and constitutional level,” Yunus said in the presence of political party representatives.
The uprising culminated in former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India on August 5, 2024, under mounting public pressure and widespread protests.
Yunus stated that the July Declaration would be included in the new constitution to be drafted by the government formed after the next general elections. “We must ensure that no future government falls into fascism,” he said. “The state’s structure must be reformed in a way that any signs of authoritarianism are immediately addressed and dismantled.”
Supporters of the declaration argue that it lays the groundwork for deep institutional reforms, while critics believe that without parliamentary consensus and a robust legal framework, the declaration’s impact could remain largely symbolic.
Yunus expressed confidence that the 2026 general elections would be peaceful, fair, and transparent, and said he would formally request the Election Commission to begin preparations. “This is a turning point for Bangladesh. We must move forward with a commitment to democratic values and constitutional accountability,” he concluded.
