Dhaka, May 29 -- BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on party leaders and activists to begin preparations for a national election by December, warning that delays in setting a date could erode public trust in the interim government's intentions.

"Dear brothers and sisters of the new generation, I urge you to start preparing for a national election to be held by December," Tarique said during a youth rally organised by affiliate organisations in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Speaking via video link from London, he added: "We want to see a government elected by the people-, accountable to the people, in a [authoritarian-free] Bangladesh."

The comments ramp up pressure on the interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, to commit to a...