Bangladesh to Hold February 12 Elections as Scheduled, Yunus Assures US Envoy

DHAKA/WASHINGTON, Dec 23 : Bangladesh will proceed with general elections as scheduled on February 12, interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Monday, asserting that the administration is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and peaceful poll despite political uncertainty and mounting security concerns.

Yunus made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia. He said the people of Bangladesh were “eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights,” which he claimed had been denied under the previous autocratic regime.

The half-hour conversation took place around 7.30 pm Dhaka time, details of which Yunus later shared on social media platform X. According to Yunus, discussions covered the upcoming elections, Bangladesh’s democratic transition, and trade and tariff negotiations between Dhaka and Washington. The two leaders also spoke about the killing of young political activist Sharif Osman Hadi and the large public funeral held in his memory.

With around 50 days remaining before polling day, Yunus said the interim government was prepared to counter any attempts to disrupt the electoral process. He alleged that supporters of the ousted regime were spending large sums of money to derail the elections and incite violence.

“We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election and make it a remarkable one,” Yunus was quoted as saying.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present during the call.

During the interaction, the US envoy congratulated Yunus on what was described as a significant breakthrough in tariff negotiations with the United States. Bangladesh recently secured a reduction in US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 per cent, a move seen as a boost to the country’s trade prospects during a period of political transition.

Meanwhile, rising violence in Bangladesh has drawn international concern. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for ensuring the safety of minorities, with UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stating that the organisation was “very concerned” by reports of violence, including attacks on Hindu communities.

“All Bangladeshis need to feel safe,” Dujarric said, adding that the UN expected the Yunus-led administration to take necessary steps to protect all citizens.

Violence has persisted since the political upheaval following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year and has intensified over the past two weeks. Tensions escalated further after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader and spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, who died from injuries sustained in an attack earlier this month.

Last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk appealed for calm, warning that retaliation would deepen divisions and undermine human rights ahead of the elections.

In Washington, US lawmakers also condemned the violence. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi termed the killing of Dipu Chandra Das a “targeted mob killing,” while Congressman Suhas Subramanyam expressed concern over reports of increasing attacks on Hindu and other minority communities since the change in government.