Dhaka, Aug. 8 -- Lifting a weight off the nation's shoulders, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus disclosed the government's plan to arrange the next general election, to elect the 13th Jatiya Sangshad, in February 2026, before Ramadan starts (expected on February 17). It represents a climbdown from the chief adviser's own, earlier stated preference to have it in April. The move is seen as a nod to the BNP, which with each passing day continues to cement its position as the dominant political force in the country, in the absence of the Awami League, whose activities continue to be banned.

The announcement came on the evening of August 5th, as the nation celebrated the first anniversary of the culmination of last year's July Uprising. In his tel...