(Reuters) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
DHAKA, June 13 – Bangladesh\u2019s interim leader signalled on Friday the possibility of holding a national election in February next year, two months earlier than previously announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel peace laureate who has led an interim government since August, was responding to a suggestion from Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who urged the vote be held before Ramadan, which begins in mid-February 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yunus responded positively, saying an election could be held in the week before Ramadan if sufficient progress was made on political and judicial reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The comments came in a joint statement released after the two men met in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yunus, currently on a visit to Britain, last week said the election would be held by the first half of April 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, pressure has been mounting from opposition groups for an earlier vote, with the BNP warning of public unrest if elections were delayed beyond December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yunus\u2019 administration, which came to power after deadly student-led<\/a> protests forced then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, has recently faced growing discontent<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BNP chief Khaleda Zia was acquitted<\/a> in January in a long-running corruption case, clearing<\/a> her path to contest the upcoming election. Rahman is Zia’s son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n