Bangladesh’s interim government is facing challenges in ensuring public safety, and as a result, holding a general election this year will be difficult, said Nahid Islam, the leader of a newly launched political party, in an exclusive interview with Reuters. Islam’s comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the political climate in the country, following mass protests and unrest over the past year, and the current government’s ability to handle the situation.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted last August after violent, student-led protests rocked the country. In response to these protests, an interim government was established, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus at the helm. Yunus’ interim government has announced that elections could take place by the end of 2025, though the country continues to experience unrest and political tension. While there has been some progress in restoring law and order in the country, Islam believes that the situation remains insufficient to safely hold an election. He is the first significant political figure to openly question Yunus’ proposed election timeline.
Islam, who is the leader of the newly formed Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) or National Citizens’ Party, expressed his concerns during his first interview since taking the role of party head. The 26-year-old politician and former student leader emphasized that while some short-term reforms have been enacted in the policing system, the changes have not met expectations. He pointed out that the law and order situation remains unstable, and the current policing infrastructure is inadequate for conducting a national election.
“In the current law and order situation and policing system, I don’t think it is possible to hold a national election,” Islam stated. He conveyed his concerns while seated in his government-provided villa in Dhaka, underscoring the gravity of the situation in Bangladesh. His comments signal deep doubts regarding the interim government’s ability to ensure safety and fairness during the election process.
Although Islam is a relatively new political figure, his observations have raised alarms. He was recently an adviser to the interim government, and his unique position provides him with insight into the inner workings of the government. As such, his skepticism regarding the government’s readiness for elections carries weight in the political discourse. Islam’s party, the NCP, is a youth-led political movement that many analysts believe could disrupt Bangladesh’s long-standing political structure, which has been dominated by two major parties: Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Both Hasina’s Awami League and Zia’s BNP have been at odds for decades, with each party calling for early elections and claiming that power should be returned to a democratically elected government. Since the protests and the ousting of Hasina, both parties have continued to call for early elections, highlighting the growing frustration with the current interim government. Meanwhile, Islam’s NCP is positioning itself as a third force in Bangladeshi politics, one that seeks to challenge the dominance of the two major parties. Islam’s youth-led party has gained attention for its fresh approach and for representing the voice of a younger generation of Bangladeshi citizens who are eager for change.
Islam’s criticism of the interim government comes against the backdrop of ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. The country has experienced incidents of political violence, including attacks on symbols of Hasina’s government, as well as violent clashes between student groups. Moreover, there have been reports of attacks targeting minority communities, including Hindus, and other non-Muslim groups, with their homes, businesses, and temples coming under fire. While the interim government downplays the significance of these incidents, claiming that reports of such attacks are exaggerated, Islam believes that these acts of violence are an indication of the unstable political climate in the country.
In Islam’s view, before any elections can be held, it is crucial to reach a consensus on the “Proclamation of the July Revolution.” This charter is a key document that the interim government intends to prepare in consultation with political parties and student activists. The purpose of the proclamation is to reflect the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and to honor the more than 1,000 individuals who lost their lives in the violence last year. This document is particularly significant in the context of the student-led protests that brought about Hasina’s ousting, as it aims to encapsulate the demands of the protestors and provide a platform for political reconciliation.
Islam believes that if consensus can be reached on the Proclamation of the July Revolution within a month, elections could be called immediately. However, if the process of reaching an agreement takes longer, Islam advocates for delaying the election to ensure a more stable political environment. He argues that rushing into an election under current conditions would only exacerbate tensions and potentially lead to more violence.
The challenge of organizing an election amidst unrest is compounded by the fact that many people in Bangladesh, particularly those from affluent backgrounds, are financially supporting Islam’s new political party. Islam indicated that these financial backers would play a crucial role in the NCP’s ability to compete in the election, but he also acknowledged that the party will need to turn to crowdfunding to secure the funds required for an office and to set up a fund for the election. This reliance on external funding highlights the financial challenges faced by smaller political parties in Bangladesh, particularly in an environment where the political landscape is dominated by established players like the Awami League and the BNP.
The formation of the NCP marks a significant shift in Bangladeshi politics, as it signals the growing influence of younger political leaders who are dissatisfied with the status quo. Islam’s party seeks to appeal to a younger generation that is disillusioned with the traditional political parties and their inability to provide meaningful change. The NCP’s rise to prominence may force a reevaluation of Bangladesh’s political system and the future direction of the country’s governance.
In the long term, the NCP aims to challenge the two-party dominance in Bangladesh’s political arena, but for now, Islam is focused on ensuring that any future elections are conducted in a safe and peaceful manner. As tensions continue to rise and the country grapples with the aftermath of violent protests, Islam’s call for a more cautious approach to elections highlights the difficult road ahead for Bangladesh’s political future.
Islam’s doubts regarding the interim government’s readiness to hold elections raise important questions about the state of Bangladesh’s democracy. While the government has promised to hold elections by the end of 2025, it remains to be seen whether the current political climate will allow for a fair and peaceful election process. With Islam’s NCP now in the mix, the landscape of Bangladeshi politics is becoming more complex, and the outcome of the 2025 election remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the country is at a political crossroads, and how it navigates the road ahead will shape its future for years to come.
