BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Saturday that April is not suitable for holding the national election and December would be the most appropriate time.

“April is not appropriate for holding an election in Bangladesh. There is intense heat and the possibility of storms and heavy rains at that time. April will also come just after Ramadan, and public examinations are scheduled during that time,” he said.

Talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul also pointed out the difficulty of conducting election campaigns during the month of fasting. “Campaigning during Ramadan is extremely difficult.”

He said their party does not think the government has taken the decision of conducting the election in April with careful consideration.

“Our Standing Committee discussed the issue last night and has already shared its position. We believe that elections can be held in December, which will be the most suitable time for the nation (to go for voting),” the BNP leader said.

Earlier on Friday evening, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, announced that the next national election will be held sometime in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress.

Reacting to the announcement, Fakhrul said, “We expressed our party’s reaction yesterday (Friday). We have always demanded elections be held by December. That was also the expectation of the people.” “That expectation, however, has not been fulfilled,” he observed.

Fakhrul, accompanied by senior BNP leaders including Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain, paid tribute at Ziaur Rahman’s grave, marking Eid-ul-Azha.

They also offered fateha there and a munajat seeking divine blessings for the salvation of Zia’s departed soul.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Abdus Salam and Abdul Halim, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and central leaders Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Rafiqul Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Mir Newaz Ali, and Aminul Haque, among others, were present.

It has been a tradition for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to visit Ziaur Rahman’s grave every Eid prior to her jailing in 2008. In her absence, the party’s senior leaders continue to honour the tradition. Extending Eid greetings to the nation, Fakhrul said, “On behalf of the party, Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, I wish everyone Eid Mubarak.”