A political breakthrough appears imminent among anti-fascist political parties and student organisations in the country ahead of the parliamentary election scheduled for February next, with senior leaders signalling readiness to sign the long-delayed July Charter once Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus returns from New York.
Sources from several parties confirmed that tensions over the charter and election procedures – which had threatened to derail consensus – have eased markedly over the past week following the joint visit of senior leaders from three major parties to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) alongside Prof Yunus.
The parties are now expected to sign the July Charter next month, a move that would accelerate election preparations and clear the way for all major parties to enter the electoral fray.
Although senior figures in the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami publicly dismissed the notion of reaching an understanding during the New York trip, insiders admitted to cautious optimism that the impasse could be resolved abroad.
Delivering his address to the UNGA, Prof Yunus highlighted progress on institutional accountability, election readiness, and wide-ranging economic and governance reforms aimed at transparency, stability and investment.
“Now, as we prepare for the national election in February next year, we remain steadfast in carrying forward reforms that place citizens at the centre. Our focus is unchanging: transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” Prof Yunus told the Assembly.
With all key stakeholders, including the Election Commission and political parties, apparently moving inexorably towards the polls, the transfer of power to an elected government is now seen as a matter of time.
Election activity is expected to gather pace upon Prof Yunus’s return from the UNGA, with campaigning by political parties likely to begin shortly afterwards.
Parties voice confidence but flag outstanding issues
Sources within the three visiting parties confirmed they expect to sign the July Charter in October.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said Prof Yunus regularly reassures world leaders that Bangladesh will hold a fully free and historic election.
“We must uphold his trust and belief. Whatever may have happened in the past, now we have to prove that we can do it… there is no scope for any exception,” he stressed.
The chief adviser’s call for national election has been warmly received by the BNP, Jamaat and other senior leaders. Both the BNP and Jamaat have publicly expressed confidence that the 13th parliamentary election will indeed be held in February, echoing Prof Yunus’s UNGA statement.
Speaking separately in New York on Friday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said their parties had no doubts about either the election or its timeline, while also urging resolution of pending issues.
Addressing journalists at Manhattan’s Grand Hyatt Hotel after attending the 80th UNGA session with Prof Yunus, Mirza Fakhrul said the chief adviser had delivered a “strong and clear” message on the forthcoming polls: “It was strong enough. In recent days, he (Yunus) has been repeating the points. We political parties have no doubt whatsoever. We are confident that the national election will be held in February 2026,” he said.
He praised Prof Yunus’s speech for reflecting both the government’s reform agenda and the unity of the nation, saying it “clearly outlined the core purpose behind the formation of the government and the responsibility entrusted to it by both the country’s political parties and student organisations”.
Mirza Fakhrul also noted that within a year the interim government had attempted to stabilise the economy and politics, which were in crisis when it took office.
“These issues were clearly reflected in his speech,” he added.
Jamaat leader Taher likewise told journalists at the New York hotel that his party was preparing to participate in the upcoming national election, which they expected to be “free, fair and inclusive”.
“A possible date for the election has been announced and it will be held in February next year. We all agree with it and we are also preparing for the polls,” he said, while warning that unresolved issues could undermine progress. “We have agreed on the July Charter, but if it is not implemented, there will be no point in that agreement,” he added.
He also said he saw no reason to disagree with Prof Yunus’s UNGA remarks about the elections.
Strong signal of unity from New York
Prof Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the presence of six leaders from three major political parties at the UNGA alongside the chief adviser had sent a powerful message of unity to the international community.
“By sitting together with the chief adviser at the UNGA Hall, the six leaders sent a strong message to the international community that Bangladesh remains united and committed to moving forward with the national election in a united manner,” he said.
He described the moment as “significant, not only for Bangladesh but also for the entire world”, signalling the country’s readiness for a democratic transition.
Those accompanying Prof Yunus at the UNGA included BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, party leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara.
Next steps on the July Charter
On Saturday, the National Consensus Commission held a meeting with experts to review multiple recommendations on implementing the July National Charter 2025.
The commission will submit several proposals to the government on ways to enforce the charter in line with the decisions taken at the meeting.
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
