Politics
Election by mid-2026

Reaction from the streets

Top from left: Mohammad Nurunnabi Mridha Azam, businessman; Shahjahan, rickshawpuller; Saddam Hossain, street-side vendor; Mohammad Ziaul Islam, college student Bottom from left: Miah Mohammad Kanchan, agricultural product exporter; Morshedul Alam Tarun, student; Mohammad Ketab Ali, poultry trader

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus made the much anticipated announcement today about when the interim government might organise national elections, and make way for an elected government to assume power. In his address to the nation on the occasion of Victory Day, he said it may be possible to hold the next national elections at the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.

The Daily Star spoke to a number of regular people on the streets of Dhaka to gauge the public's reaction to this important indication of when the country might return to democracy.

Mohammad Nurunnabi Mridha Azam, a businessman, was of the opinion that the sooner an elected government comes to power, the better it would be for the people of Bangladesh.

"The whole country is lacking a guardian now, if people go to the administration for their needs, the administration is found to be ineffective. If a partisan government comes to power, everything will fall in line," he said.

Similar thoughts were echoed by Shahjahan, a 40-year-old rickshaw puller, who thinks the country is in chaos right now. He mentioned the difficulty of earning a living, and the myriad problems facing the country including "daylight robberies".

"A [elected] government would be able to tackle these problems," he added.

Saddam Hossain, a street-side vendor, opposed the others, saying that given the current situation of the country, the current government can stay on longer. If they stick around longer, improve the economy further, and then a new government is brought in, then it'll be good for them.

He also mentioned the corruption entrenched in the country, and hoped the current government can do something to ensure that such corruption can not take place in the future.

On the other hand, Mohammad Ziaul Islam, a college student, is ready to trust the government with whatever decision it makes.

"The government has a lot more information about the state of the country that any of us do, so what they decide should be the best, most informed decision," he said.

The economy seemed to be first and foremost issue for many of the people The Daily Star spoke to.

Miah Mohammad Kanchan, an agricultural product exporter, stressed the need for elections as soon as possible. He thinks elected governments have a level of permanence that allows them to direct the country properly.

"An elected government can combat corruption properly. It seems the current government can't do this. They hoped to be able to enact reforms, but that's not happening. Corrupt individuals are still engaged in corruption," he said, adding that this not beneficial to regular exporters, farmers, or anyone.

Morshedul Alam Tarun, a student, pointed to the rise of the price of daily essentials, and the breakdown of law and order. He believes that even though Hasina has fled, her followers are still creating chaos by leveraging different issues.

"If we want to stop them, and if we want to build a prosperous Bangladesh, we need to complete reforms fast and call for a national election," he said.

Mohammad Ketab Ali, a poultry trader, was one of the few who expressed genuine hope.

"The election can be delayed a bit. It's good if it's delayed, he [Yunus] can fix up the country and run it for some time. Then a good government can come and run it well," he said.

Comments

Election by mid-2026

Reaction from the streets

Top from left: Mohammad Nurunnabi Mridha Azam, businessman; Shahjahan, rickshawpuller; Saddam Hossain, street-side vendor; Mohammad Ziaul Islam, college student Bottom from left: Miah Mohammad Kanchan, agricultural product exporter; Morshedul Alam Tarun, student; Mohammad Ketab Ali, poultry trader

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus made the much anticipated announcement today about when the interim government might organise national elections, and make way for an elected government to assume power. In his address to the nation on the occasion of Victory Day, he said it may be possible to hold the next national elections at the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.

The Daily Star spoke to a number of regular people on the streets of Dhaka to gauge the public's reaction to this important indication of when the country might return to democracy.

Mohammad Nurunnabi Mridha Azam, a businessman, was of the opinion that the sooner an elected government comes to power, the better it would be for the people of Bangladesh.

"The whole country is lacking a guardian now, if people go to the administration for their needs, the administration is found to be ineffective. If a partisan government comes to power, everything will fall in line," he said.

Similar thoughts were echoed by Shahjahan, a 40-year-old rickshaw puller, who thinks the country is in chaos right now. He mentioned the difficulty of earning a living, and the myriad problems facing the country including "daylight robberies".

"A [elected] government would be able to tackle these problems," he added.

Saddam Hossain, a street-side vendor, opposed the others, saying that given the current situation of the country, the current government can stay on longer. If they stick around longer, improve the economy further, and then a new government is brought in, then it'll be good for them.

He also mentioned the corruption entrenched in the country, and hoped the current government can do something to ensure that such corruption can not take place in the future.

On the other hand, Mohammad Ziaul Islam, a college student, is ready to trust the government with whatever decision it makes.

"The government has a lot more information about the state of the country that any of us do, so what they decide should be the best, most informed decision," he said.

The economy seemed to be first and foremost issue for many of the people The Daily Star spoke to.

Miah Mohammad Kanchan, an agricultural product exporter, stressed the need for elections as soon as possible. He thinks elected governments have a level of permanence that allows them to direct the country properly.

"An elected government can combat corruption properly. It seems the current government can't do this. They hoped to be able to enact reforms, but that's not happening. Corrupt individuals are still engaged in corruption," he said, adding that this not beneficial to regular exporters, farmers, or anyone.

Morshedul Alam Tarun, a student, pointed to the rise of the price of daily essentials, and the breakdown of law and order. He believes that even though Hasina has fled, her followers are still creating chaos by leveraging different issues.

"If we want to stop them, and if we want to build a prosperous Bangladesh, we need to complete reforms fast and call for a national election," he said.

Mohammad Ketab Ali, a poultry trader, was one of the few who expressed genuine hope.

"The election can be delayed a bit. It's good if it's delayed, he [Yunus] can fix up the country and run it for some time. Then a good government can come and run it well," he said.

Comments

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