Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country.

Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, has been under pressure to set a clear election date. However, he stressed the need for essential reforms before elections can be scheduled. While reforms such as ensuring a flawless voter list could allow elections to take place by November 2025, he noted that a full set of electoral reforms would likely delay the process by a few months.

The unrest that led to Hasina’s departure and Yunus’ appointment was fueled by widespread discontent over the former prime minister’s 15-year rule, marked by accusations of human rights abuses, electoral manipulation, and the politicization of government institutions. Hasina fled to India after protestors stormed her palace in Dhaka, and the caretaker government under Yunus is now tasked with navigating the challenging process of restoring democratic governance in Bangladesh.

Yunus has launched several commissions to oversee reforms and emphasized that political parties' agreement on the timeline and reforms will be key in setting a final date for the election.