Activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gather on the streets calling for a general election in December, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 28, 2025
| Photo Credit: AP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) called for early election in Bangladesh on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), adding to the growing pressure on the interim government.

In the past 10 months, this is the first time that the BNP has challenged the interim government led by Mohammed Yunus, and criticised its major initiatives like the so-called “humanitarian corridor” between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“Excuses are already being made regarding the national elections. Even after 10 months, the interim government has not announced the election date,” said Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, addressing the rally through video link from London.

“Historically, caretaker governments in Bangladesh have shown that national elections can be organised and executed within three months. The precedent is clear: it can be done. And yet, 10 months into its tenure, the interim administration has still not announced an election date,” said Mr. Rahman.

Mr. Yunus had earlier said elections would be held in December but subsequently shifted the timeline to February 2026 and then to June 2026.