Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a free, fair, transparent, and festive national election in the first half of February next year, despite attempts by certain quarters to delay the polls.

We have already announced the election timeline. It will be held in early February, before Ramadan, he said while addressing a meeting with a visiting European Parliament delegation led by MEP Munir Satouri at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

The Chief Adviser said election fever is steadily rising among ordinary citizens, particularly the youth. He noted that after a long break, student union elections have resumed in universities, sparking enthusiasm among students.

The national election will be peaceful, clean, transparent, and festive, Prof Yunus stressed.

Some quarters are still trying to delay the process, but the interim government remains firm in holding the election on schedule.

Expressing optimism, he said for the first time in over 15 years, a record number of young voters will exercise their franchise in the upcoming election.

With the February election, a new chapter will begin in Bangladesh’s history, a fresh journey for the country, he added.

During the nearly hour-long discussion, the Chief Adviser and the MEPs exchanged views on the government’s reform measures, the EU’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

Prof Yunus thanked the European Union for its sustained cooperation and urged for increased funding for the over one million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.A

He particularly sought EU assistance in reopening schools in the Rohingya camps that were recently shut down due to funding shortages.