Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus -File Photo

DHAKA, Dec 22, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12, 2026. 

"The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which were stolen by the autocratic regime," he said 

Professor Yunus made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, at around 7:30 pm (Dhaka time), said Chief Adviser's Press Wing. 

The discussion, which lasted about half an hour, focused on trade and tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States, the upcoming general election, the country's democratic transition, and the murder of young Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi.

Sergio Gor, who also serves as the US Ambassador to India, congratulated Professor Yunus for his leadership during recent tariff negotiations. 

Bangladesh succeeded in reducing US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 percent.

The US Special Envoy also discussed the massive funeral of Shaheed Osman Hadi.

Chief Adviser noted that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were allegedly spending millions of dollars to disrupt the electoral process and that their fugitive leader was inciting violence.

However, he said, the interim government was "fully prepared" to deal with any challenges.

"We have roughly 50 days to go before the election. We want to hold a free, fair and peaceful election. We want to make it remarkable," Professor Yunus said.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed were present during the call.