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.

Shamim Sayeedi, the Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated parliamentary candidate for Pirojpur-2 and chairman of the Sayeedi Foundation, has accused members of the Sheikh family of corruption, despite acknowledging Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the architect of Bangladesh’s independence.

Speaking as the chief guest at a public gathering on August 5 in Nazirabad, Pirojpur, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nazirabad upazila unit, Sayeedi alleged that Sheikh Kamal was involved in a bank robbery after the Liberation War, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was responsible for 14 bank robberies and embezzlement of funds allocated for infrastructure.

“This July uprising was against inequality and corruption. We stand against thieves, against quotas, and in favor of merit,” Sayeedi stated during the event commemorating the July People’s Uprising Day, held in Swarupkathi municipality premises.

He further declared, “There are no minorities in Bangladesh, we are all Bangladeshis. With communal harmony, we will build a golden Bengal.”

Referring to his father, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi’s tenure as MP between 1996 and 2006, he claimed the Hindu community in Pirojpur felt safe during that time. He urged voters to support the Jamaat’s election symbol, the scale, to ensure security for all.

Hefazat-e-Islam chief Mahibullah Babunagari has labeled Jamaat-e-Islami a “fraudulent Islamic party,” claiming it does not represent authentic Islam.

Speaking at a religious gathering in Nazirhat, Fatikchhari, Chattogram, on Monday (August 5), Babunagari stated, “Jamaat follows the Islam of Maududi, not the Islam of Madinah. Practicing Maududi’s Islam is incompatible with true faith.”

He added, “This is not just my opinion—our elders also warned about this. Jamaat does not aim to establish the Islam of Madinah, which we follow, but rather Maududi’s version.”

The event, titled “Role of Islamic Scholars in the Future of Fatikchhari,” was organized by ‘Greater Fatikchhari’s Olama-Mashayekh.’ It took place at a local community center.

The meeting was presided over by Shah Sulaiman Nanupuri, the Pir of Nanupar Obaidia Darbar, and moderated by Maulana Abu Maknoon Muhammad Azizi, a senior Hefazat leader.

Other speakers at the event included Maulana Habibur Rahman, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Maulana Ilyas, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Shahjahan Islamabadi, Maulana Junaid bin Jalal, Maulana Ayyub Babunagari, Maulana Yahya, and Maulana Irshad Bhujpuri.