Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, during his meeting with BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, said that next general elections could be arranged in the week before Ramadan 2026.
The chief adviser said that that it will be possible if all preparations are completed, and sufficient progress is made in reforms and trials related to the July Uprising.
Ramadan is expected to begin in mid-February next year.
National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman spoke to reporters about the outcome of meeting between the Prof Yunus and Tarique Rahman at a joint press briefing held after the meeting.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury also attended the joint press conference.
Khalilur, while reading out the joint statement, said that meeting between Yunus and Tarique was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
"Tarique Rahman proposed to the chief adviser that the national election be held before next year's Ramadan. The party's chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, also believes that holding the election during that time would be good," Khalilur said.
"The chief adviser said that he has already announced that the election will be held in the first half of April next year. If all preparations are completed, the election could be organized in the week before Ramadan in 2026. However, sufficient progress in reforms and judicial matters will need to be achieved within that timeframe".
Tarique Rahman welcomed the chief adviser's stance and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the party. The chief adviser also thanked Tarique Rahman for the fruitful discussion, Khalilur said.
The meeting took place in The Dorchester Hotel in London today. Beginning at 9:00am local time (2:00pm Bangladesh time), the meeting went on for around one and a half hours.