BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday welcomed the announcement to hold the next national election in February 2026, saying the party sees it as a step towards restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

“BNP welcomes the announcement made, setting February 2026 as the timeframe for the next election following the meeting between the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Yunus in London. BNP believes this historic announcement will help overcome the political deadlock and pave the way for transition to democracy in Bangladesh,” he told a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital.

Mirza Fakhrul said BNP hopes that the government and the Election Commission will take all necessary measures to ensure that the upcoming election is free, fair, impartial and acceptable to all.

He said BNP calls upon all political parties and the people to come forward and work collectively to make this election successful, thereby institutionalising democracy and forming an effective national parliament.

“BNP is expressing its sincere thanks to the head of the interim government, Professor Dr Yunus, the members of the Advisory Council and all the members concerned who are involved in this process for their initiatives and necessary measures to smooth the path to democracy despite many adversities in the last one year, as well as expecting that the remaining work of reforming the state structure will be completed very soon,” he said.

Mentioning that Prof Yunus announced the ‘July Proclamation’ on Tuesday, Fakhrul said his party also welcomes this proclamation. “BNP believes the commitments made by the political parties in this declaration will mark the beginning of a transformation into a new democratic Bangladesh. This will create an opportunity to build a truly progressive and prosperous Bangladesh, founded on equality, human values, and justice,” he said.

Fakhrul said BNP once again pays tributes to those who sacrificed their lives in this struggle for democracy, sympathises with those who were injured, and prays to the Almighty for their quick recovery. The BNP leader said his party calls on the government to take measures for rehabilitation and good medical treatment for the victim families.

He said BNP expresses its sincere thanks and gratitude to Tarique Rahman for successfully leading the democratic movement for eight long years.

Fakhrul expressed BNP's heartfelt gratitude and greetings to all political parties, students, farmers, workers and people from all walks of life who participated in this struggle for democracy, including those who were martyred, injured, or maimed in it.