Bangladesh Chief Adviser assures UK of Free, Fair and Inclusive Bangladesh Polls

Election pledge: free, fair and inclusive polls

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed that the upcoming national election will be “free, fair and inclusive” during talks with UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman in Dhaka. 

The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday evening, during Chapman’s two-day visit to Bangladesh. 

Yunus said the polls, scheduled for the first half of February, would see broad participation across society. He stressed that tens of millions of young citizens are expected to cast their ballots for the very first time. 

Awami League barred from contesting election

During the talks, Yunus told the visiting minister that the Awami League would not be able to contest the election. He noted that the party’s activities have been suspended under Bangladesh’s anti-terrorism laws. 

As a result, the Election Commission has removed the Awami League from the official list of registered political parties. This formal step leaves the former ruling party outside the electoral field, a key shift in Bangladesh’s post-uprising political landscape. 

Yunus linked the coming vote to the “July Charter,” describing it as a “new beginning” that reflects the demands of millions who joined last year’s July–August student-led uprising. 

UK migration concerns and safe legal routes

The discussion also turned to migration and border control, an area where London and Dhaka face shared pressures. Chapman raised concerns about abuse of the UK asylum system by migrants from several countries, including Bangladesh, and highlighted the need to curb exploitation of vulnerable people. 

Yunus responded that the interim government is committed to safe and orderly migration. He said Dhaka would encourage Bangladeshis seeking work abroad to use legal channels, rather than resorting to risky irregular routes. 

Meanwhile, the UK minister is due to attend a roundtable on irregular migration during her visit, underlining how central the issue has become in bilateral relations. 

Rohingya crisis and humanitarian support in focus

The Rohingya refugee crisis was another major theme of the meeting. Over one million Rohingya remain in camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, relying heavily on international aid.

Yunus warned that young people in the camps are “growing up without hope,” and said frustration is rising as education and employment prospects remain limited. “We must ensure they receive education,” he stressed, calling for sustained global engagement. 

For her part, Chapman’s Bangladesh trip includes visits to UK-funded programmes supporting Rohingya women and girls and confirming a new aid package. The UK recently announced an extra £27 million in humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees, on top of more than £447 million committed since 2017. 

Trade, aviation and maritime cooperation

Beyond elections and humanitarian issues, the two sides explored ways to deepen economic and strategic cooperation. Yunus said Bangladesh plans to purchase a British research vessel to strengthen maritime studies in the Bay of Bengal, a region vital for shipping, fisheries and energy exploration. 

Chapman also called for stronger aviation links between Dhaka and London. She noted that the head of Airbus International is expected to visit Bangladesh soon, signalling potential aircraft or aviation partnerships. 

The talks built on the UK’s push for a “modern, mutually beneficial development partnership” with Bangladesh, which includes climate resilience funding and broader investment ties. 

July Charter, youth and the path ahead

Looking ahead, Yunus framed the February election as part of a wider democratic reset. He argued that after 16 years of what he called autocratic rule and three “rigged” elections, many young Bangladeshis will finally see their votes count. 

However, questions remain over how the exclusion of the Awami League will affect political competition and international perceptions of the poll. UK engagement, including Chapman’s visit, suggests that partners are watching closely while still offering support for reforms.

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke joined the meeting, underscoring its diplomatic weight. 

As Bangladesh moves toward February, the pledge of free, fair and inclusive elections—made directly to a key international partner—will be a central measure of the interim government’s credibility at home and abroad.

Image: Chief Adviser’s Facebook

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