Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters after the meeting of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday. Photo: BSS

 
DHAKA, Aug 31, 2025 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at separate meetings with three political parties today firmly reiterated that the national elections will be held within the first half of February in 2026 in a free, fair and festive manner.
 
“Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus made it clear that the elections will be held within the first half of February, the timeline that he announced, earlier, in his address to the nation,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said at a press briefing in front of the State Guest House Jamuna this evening after meetings with the political parties.
 
He said the Chief Adviser held separate meetings with the leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) at the State Guest House Jamuna.
 
“There is no alternative to polls,” the press secretary quoted the Chief Adviser as he told the political parties.
 
“Professor Yunus firmly said that the main responsibility of the interim government is to organize a fair election in a free and peaceful environment. He has repeatedly mentioned that this election will be one of the best elections in the history of Bangladesh,” Shafiqul Alam said.
 
He said that the Chief Adviser called upon all political parties to take preparation for the election, saying “Any attempt to think otherwise will pose a grave risk to the nation”.
 
The press secretary said that the meetings with the Chief Adviser were held in a very cordial atmosphere where the political parties expressed their concerns and expectations regarding the upcoming elections.
 
During the meetings, Shafiqul Alam noted that the Chief Adviser discussed the upcoming Durga Puja beginning in the last week of September this year.
 
The head of the interim government called on all political parties to remain vigilant so that no one can create any unstable situation in the country over Durga Puja.
 
Professor Yunus sought cooperation of all to ensure a peaceful celebration of Durga Puja.
 
BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain joined the meeting with the chief adviser.
 
Besides, Jamaat leaders Syed Abdullah Md Taher, Mia Golam Parwar, Rafiqul Islam Khan and General Hamidur Rahman Azad while NCP leaders Ariful Islam Adeeb, Dr Tasnim Jara, Hasnat Abdullah and Abdul Hannan Masud attended the meetings.
 
Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Planning Adviser Professor Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were present at the meetings.
 
In the meantime, the press secretary said, National Consensus Commission Vice President Professor Ali Riaz and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider met the Chief Adviser.
 
At the meeting, they informed Professor Yunus about the progress of the implementation of the July Charter. They also informed the Chief Adviser about the political parties’ opinions regarding the July Charter.
 
Replying to a question about the treatment of Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, Shafiqul Alam said a special medical board has already been formed for the treatment of Nur.
 
“If necessary, the government has decided to send Nur abroad for better treatment,” he added.