Bangladesh elections 2026: Will hand over power to elected government fast, says Yunus

The February 12 election is not just a routine political event but a moment when the people of Bangladesh will determine the course of their collective destiny, Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus said on Tuesday (February 10, 2026).

In a nationally televised address that came hours after the political campaign ended on Tuesday (February 10, 2026), Mr. Yunus called for citizens to vote in favour of the popular referendum on the ‘July Charter’ that will bring substantial changes to the Constitution. Polling will be ‘inclusive’ as 51 political parties will contest for power, he said, adding that the interim government will “fast” hand over power to the elected government.

“The task of the interim government will end with the election of a new government. We will return to our respective professions after handing over power with joy and pride to the newly elected government,” said Mr. Yunus.

He said the impact of the referendum on adopting the principles of the July Charter will influence a generation and called upon voters to come out and vote in favour of the Charter.

“A vote for the referendum is not just a seal on paper. It will determine the direction of education, employment and justice system in the coming days,” said Mr. Yunus. The proposed changes will impose limits on the powers of the Prime Minister, and give certain powers to the President, who is currently a titular figure in the state structure of Bangladesh. The interim government has announced a four days holiday for the election.

Meanwhile, the interim government on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) announced that the family of Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched and burnt on December 18, 2025 in Mymensingh by a mob, will get 25 lakh Taka (₹18.5 lakh) as assistance for the construction of a house by the Das family.

That apart, the father and wife of the late Das will get 10 lakhs Taka each and a fixed deposit amount of 5 lakh Taka will be dedicated to Das’s child.

“The way Dipu Das was killed after spreading communal frenzy is a matter of national shame and delivering justice is the only way in which we can get rid of this shame,” the government said.

It added that 12 persons have been arrested in this case and the investigation is currently ongoing and all those involved in the killing will be caught and dealt with as per the law.