Bangladesh
Govt Sends Election Commission Letter for Pre-Ramadan National Vote
The Office of the Chief Advisor has formally requested the Election Commission (EC) to take all necessary steps to hold the next general election before the start of Ramadan in February 2026.
The letter, dated Wednesday (6 August), was sent by Chief Secretary M. Siraj Uddin Mia to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging preparations for a free, fair, peaceful, and festive national election.
This move follows the declaration made by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus during his national address on 5 August, in which he announced that elections should be held before Ramadan begins next year.
The letter emphasized the importance of making the upcoming polls a “celebration of democracy” after 15 years of electoral deprivation for citizens. It also highlighted the need for appropriate technological integration and reaffirmed the government’s full cooperation to ensure a credible and joyous electoral process.
Due to rising water pressure caused by continuous rainfall and upstream flow, authorities at the Kaptai Lake in Rangamati began releasing water through 16 sluice gates on Wednesday (August 6) at 1:00 PM. Each gate is now releasing water at 2.5 feet, discharging approximately 49,000 cusecs per second into the Karnaphuli River.
Kaptai Hydropower Plant Manager Mahamud Hasan confirmed that the lake’s water level stood at 108.76 feet MSL by Wednesday noon, just below the danger mark of 109 feet. To ease the pressure, sluice gates were opened wider.
On Tuesday night, the gates were initially opened 6 inches, then extended by another foot later that night. As pressure continued to mount, they were further widened to 2.5 feet on Wednesday.
Some low-lying areas near the lake have already experienced flooding. Meanwhile, the hydropower station has activated 5 of its units, generating 220–222 megawatts of electricity using an additional 32,000 cusecs of water per second. The station’s total capacity is 230 MW.
Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has declared that the next national elections will be held in February 2026, before Ramadan. In a televised address marking the first anniversary of the mass uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Yunus urged citizens to commence both mental and institutional preparation starting immediately.
Yunus said, “I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting the election be scheduled for February.” While April had been previously suggested, major political parties, particularly the BNP, had demanded an earlier timeframe. theguardian.com+15Arab News PK+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15
Describing the vote as a “festival like Eid,” Yunus appealed for widespread participation, especially from expatriate Bangladeshis, women and young voters. “Let us make the election a foundation for a ‘New Bangladesh’,” he said.
A 60 km/h storm accompanied by thunderstorms and rain is expected to affect 12 districts across Bangladesh by Wednesday (August 6) afternoon, according to the latest weather bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The storm, moving from the south or southeast direction, may disrupt activities in the affected regions. The forecast remains in effect until 1 PM and specifically applies to inland river ports.
The 12 districts under the alert are: Dhaka, Pabna, Tangail, Faridpur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Chattogram.
As a precaution, the authorities have advised all river ports in these districts to hoist Cautionary Signal No. 1.
The temporary nature of the storm still poses a risk to transportation and farming, prompting local administrations and residents to stay alert.
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