Staff Correspondent:

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Wednesday (August 6) that the Election Commission will announce the schedule for the 13th national election about two months before voting, once it receives a letter from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon, the CEC said, “We are already preparing in advance. Despite the challenges of holding an election in February, our preparations are progressing steadily.”

He expressed hope that the chief adviser’s letter would arrive soon, but added that preparations are underway regardless.

“There will be no gap in readiness. We’re working in line with the timeline announced by the chief adviser,” he said.

The CEC acknowledged the challenges of holding a free and fair election but assured that the commission is preparing for every scenario.

Ending months of speculation, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced on Tuesday (August 5) in a televised address marking July Uprising Day that the next parliamentary election will be held before Ramadan, specifically in February 2026.

“On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, requesting the EC to arrange the national polls in February,” Yunus said. “Starting tomorrow, we begin both mental and institutional readiness. We also want to ensure that expatriate voters can participate in this election.”

Highlighting the restoration of public confidence as a key challenge, the CEC noted, “Law and order is improving, and we expect further progress in the coming months. Our goal is to deliver an election as transparent as a mirror.”

He also identified low voter turnout and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence as significant concerns. “We aim to ensure a smooth and secure environment so the election can be held in a festive spirit,” he added.