Tens of thousands of students and young supporters of a major Bangladeshi political party gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding a general election by December amid growing dissatisfaction with the interim government installed after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed in August.
Members from three groups affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, assembled outside the party’s headquarters under tight security.
This rally follows weeks of rising political tension, particularly after interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus threatened to resign and the country’s powerful military chief openly supported holding elections in December.
Zia, who has been battling health issues for several years, recently returned to Bangladesh after four months of medical treatment in London, adding more pressure on the interim administration to call for elections.
“We have gathered to answer the call for youth unity. We want democracy, we want elections. The next election should be held soon, no later than December,” said student activist Jahangir Hossain. “We are united for democracy.”
Hasina, Zia’s main political rival, has been in exile in India since she was overthrown last year during a mass uprising, with her party, the Awami League, also banned by the interim government.
BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman—Zia’s eldest son—addressed the crowd via video link from his exile in London, outlining the party’s future plans, especially for the youth, and reiterated the demand for elections by December.
“The polls must be held by December. They have to take place within December,” Rahman stressed.
The interim government has faced a wave of protests recently, including from civil servants, primary school teachers, and national revenue service employees. Human rights organizations have criticized the government for failing to prosecute organized crime figures responsible for violence. They also blame the administration for policies undermining fundamental freedoms.
Business groups have expressed concerns about economic weaknesses and labor unrest, criticizing Yunus’s leadership.
When Yunus took office, he pledged reforms in election laws, women’s rights, and public administration. However, progress has been slow, leading critics to accuse him of delaying tactics to stay in power.
During Yunus’s 10 months in office, there has been a noticeable rise in Islamist influence in the country, which is officially governed by a secular constitution. The military, which has been deployed since July last year to maintain order, is growing frustrated by delays in restoring democracy.
Recently, the BNP met with Yunus, reaffirming its demand for elections by December and stating that if Yunus steps down, another leader will be found. Despite rumors, Yunus’s associates have said he plans to remain in office.
Yunus has promised elections by June 2026, contingent on the progress of reforms. The BNP, optimistic about its chances to form the next government in the absence of Hasina’s Awami League, insists that reform should not be used as an excuse to delay elections, emphasizing that reform is an ongoing process.
