‘Bangladesh polls on February 12 will go ahead,’ Muhammad Yunus tells US envoy as UN flags violence

Bangladesh will go to the polls as scheduled on February 12, Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Monday, asserting that the administration is fully prepared to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election amid political churn and security concerns.

Speaking during a telephone conversation with Sergio Gor, the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Yunus said the nation was “eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights”, which he claimed had been “stolen by the autocratic regime”.

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The half-hour conversation took place around 7.30 pm Dhaka time, details of which Yunus later shared on X.

Bangladesh halts consular and visa services in Delhi, Agartala amid protests and rising tensions

Yunus assures US of free and peaceful polls on February 12

According to Yunus, discussions with the US envoy ranged from the upcoming general election and Bangladesh’s democratic transition to trade and tariff negotiations between Dhaka and Washington. The two also spoke about the killing of young political activist Sharif Osman Hadi and the massive funeral held in his memory.

With about 50 days remaining for the polls, Yunus said the interim government was ready to tackle any attempt to derail the process. He alleged that supporters of the ousted autocratic regime were spending millions of dollars to disrupt the election, with their fugitive leader inciting violence.

“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,” Yunus said, according to IANS.

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

Election Will Be Held on Time, Chief Adviser Tells US Special Envoy

DHAKA, December 22: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated his commitment to holding general elections on February 12.

“The nation is eagerly waiting to exercise their voting rights which…

— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 22, 2025

Tariff relief with US hailed as major trade win

During the interaction, Sergio Gor congratulated Yunus on his leadership in recent tariff negotiations with the United States. Bangladesh has succeeded in reducing US reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 per cent — a development seen as a significant boost for the country’s trade sector at a time of political transition.

UN voices concern over violence, urges minority safety

Meanwhile, concerns over rising violence in Bangladesh have drawn international attention. Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, has called for ensuring the safety of minorities in the country.

“All Bangladeshis need to feel safe,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday, reacting to reports of violence against minorities, including recent lynchings of Hindus. He added that the UN was “very concerned” about the situation and expressed confidence that the Yunus-led administration would take steps to protect all citizens.

Violence has simmered since the upheaval following the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year and has intensified over the past two weeks. The situation worsened after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth leader and spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, who succumbed to injuries after an attack earlier this month.

Last week, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, appealed for calm, warning that retaliation would only deepen divisions and undermine rights ahead of the elections.

In Washington, US lawmakers also condemned the violence. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described the killing of Dipu Chandra Das as a “targeted mob killing”, while Suhas Subramanyam said he was deeply troubled by reports of growing attacks on Hindu and other minority communities since the change in government.