DHAKA – January 5, 2026
Bangladesh’s political landscape remains volatile nearly 18 months after the August 2024 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government under intensifying scrutiny in early 2026. Major opposition forces, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are ramping up demands for prompt general elections, urging a swift conclusion to reforms to pave the way for an elected administration.
The BNP and allied groups contend that prolonged interim rule risks deepening instability, insisting on a timeline-bound process to transfer power democratically. This pressure comes as Yunus’s administration prioritizes overhauls in key institutions to ensure future polls’ integrity. Efforts focus on modernizing the police force, bolstering judicial independence, and restructuring the Election Commission—measures deemed essential after allegations of bias marred Hasina’s tenure, according to reports in The Daily Star.
The Awami League, Hasina’s once-dominant party, grapples with a precarious future. Ongoing legal proceedings against its leaders for corruption and human rights abuses have created a significant political vacuum, sidelining the group from mainstream discourse. Speculation in Dhaka’s corridors suggests election dates could be announced by late 2026, potentially reshaping alliances and voter sentiments in a nation still healing from mass protests and economic fallout.
As reforms advance amid these tensions, Yunus’s government walks a tightrope: balancing calls for accountability with the imperative to foster inclusive governance. Failure to deliver timely elections could exacerbate divisions, while success might restore faith in Bangladesh’s democratic framework.
