The interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has already completed 10 months since the fall of the Awami League regime in a mass uprising on August 5 last year. The demand for the next national parliamentary election is growing among political parties as time passes.
Earlier this month, the chief adviser announced that the next election may be scheduled for April next year. However, following a meeting between Professor Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London last week, the proposed timeframe for the next election has been brought forward to next February.
Neither the February nor the April election timeframe has been finalized, as the poll schedule depends on the ongoing reform process and the trial of the July killings, according to the interim government.
Analyzing Bangladesh's past election history, it is seen that, in most cases, the election schedule was announced about one month before the actual election date.
In that case, if the 13th national parliamentary election is held in February, the schedule would likely be announced in December or January. On the other hand, if the election is held in April, the schedule would be announced in February or March 2025.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said the national poll schedule would be declared two months before the election.
“The poll schedule will be announced 55 to 60 days before the election. It is not possible to announce the exact election date at this moment. However, the Commission is ready whenever the election is held,” the CEC said.
In response to a query, CEC Nasir Uddin said: “We need to consult with the government. So far, the government has discussed these matters. We need to understand their position. After discussions, a decision will be taken once we have an idea about the likely timing of the vote.”
When were previous elections held in Bangladesh?
The first parliamentary election in Bangladesh was held on March 7, 1973.
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th national parliamentary elections were held on February 18, 1979; May 7, 1986; March 3, 1988; February 27, 1991; February 15, 1996; June 12, 1996; October 1, 2001; and December 29, 2008, respectively.
Details of the last four national parliamentary elections (9th to 12th) are as follows:
9th parliament election
The 9th parliamentary election, held on December 29, 2008, is considered one of the most credible elections in the country’s history, with the participation of most major political parties under a caretaker government.
The election schedule was changed eight times—five times by the former MA Aziz Commission and three times by the ATM Shamsul Huda Commission.
The tenure of the 8th Parliament ended on October 27, 2006, and the constitutional deadline for the 9th election was January 22, 2007.
Due to the political crisis, both the caretaker government and the Election Commission were reconstituted. The final election schedule was announced on November 2, 2008, and the vote was held on December 29, 2008.
A voter turnout of 87.13% was recorded.
The public, domestic and foreign observers, media, donor agencies, and the international community praised the 9th election as fair and transparent, according to the Election Commission report.
10th parliament election
The 10th parliamentary election was marked by controversy.
Before this election, the ruling Awami League passed the 15th constitutional amendment, abolishing the caretaker government system.
The Awami League remained in power during the election, while the BNP and several opposition parties boycotted it and launched a month-long protest.
Amid this unrest, the Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed-led Election Commission announced the schedule on November 25, 2013, setting the election date for January 5, 2014.
At least 123 people were killed from the announcement date to election day.
In this election, 153 candidates were elected unopposed, and voting was held in the remaining 147 constituencies out of 300.
Only 12 registered political parties participated, and voter turnout averaged 40%, according to the Election Commission.
11th parliament election
Initially, the KM Nurul Huda-led Commission announced the schedule on November 8, 2018. The election date was later moved from December 23 to December 30, 2018.
BNP and other parties formed the Jatiya Oikya Front, led by prominent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain, and contested the election.
However, from early election day, allegations of vote rigging surfaced. By 2 PM, over 100 BNP candidates had withdrawn from the race.
The result was heavily one-sided: the Awami League, Jatiya Party, and allies won 288 seats, while BNP and Oikya Front won only seven.
That evening, Jatiya Oikya Front rejected the results. Dr Kamal Hossain alleged widespread irregularities and called for the election to be scrapped.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also demanded a re-election, saying: “Many people say we made a mistake by boycotting the 2014 elections. But this election proved our decision was correct. We reject the entire election.”
In response, the Awami League held a press conference and claimed, “An unprecedented, free, and fair election took place.”
The Election Commission dismissed the allegations and re-election demands.
The day after the polls, CEC KM Nurul Huda stated in a press briefing that 80% of voters had cast their votes in the 11th parliamentary election.
12th parliament election
Amid protests and blockades by BNP and like-minded parties demanding the government's resignation, the Habibul Awal Commission announced the election schedule on November 15, 2023. The election was set for January 7, 2024.
Seventeen political parties, including BNP, boycotted the election, demanding a nonpartisan government during polls.
In most constituencies, Awami League candidates faced independent candidates. Ultimately, the Awami League won 224 seats, independents secured 62, and the Jatiya Party won 11.
The newly elected MPs took their oath on January 10 amid widespread demands for re-election.
Even the Jatiya Party—an Awami League ally in past elections—described the election as controversial.
Later, the anti-quota movement that began in July turned into a mass uprising, which led to the fall of the Awami League government in August.
On August 5, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina left the country. The next day, President Md Shahabuddin dissolved the 12th Parliament.
Thus, the 12th Parliament ended after just 202 days and 47 working days.
On August 8, 2024, the interim government led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus assumed charge of the country.
