Bangladesh races toward a long-awaited democratic breakthrough as the Election Commission declares itself fully ready to deliver the national election and a simultaneous nationwide referendum in early February.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday dismissed weeks of speculation, assuring Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that the Commission is “fully prepared and determined” to conduct both votes as scheduled.

According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Office, the CEC briefed Dr Yunus during a meeting at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, where he reported that preparations for the polls are “progressing smoothly and effectively.”

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, along with Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, attended the briefing. The CEC conveyed his gratitude to the government, law enforcement agencies, and the armed forces for their assistance, noting that public participation in election-related activities is already creating “a nationwide electoral atmosphere.”

The CEC reported that preparations are “progressing smoothly and effectively,” with nationwide election activity already generating what he described as a “charged electoral atmosphere.”

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed attended the meeting. Nasir Uddin also thanked the interim government, law enforcement agencies, and the armed forces for what he called “full cooperation at a critical moment.”

Professor Yunus, visibly satisfied, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a flawless process. “For this long-awaited election, you are in the driver’s seat. We must reach the desired destination,” he said. “We move forward with the conviction that, in the first half of February, we will gift the nation the best election in its history.”

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah were also present.

However, the EC’s confidence is unfolding amid intense speculation across political circles and social media, much of it centred on the critical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and its potential impact on the election timetable. Her ongoing treatment in a Dhaka ICU—and the delayed departure of her air ambulance to London following a technical failure—has added fresh uncertainty to an already fraught political climate.

Speculation intensified after the National Citizen Party urged the EC to take the BNP’s “internal circumstances” into account before finalising the schedule, while Jamat-e-Islami called for the referendum to be held on a separate day. Both appeals reignited rumours of a possible delay.

But the EC’s confidence comes against a dramatically shifting backdrop.

Across political circles and social media, speculation has reached fever pitch, driven largely by the critical condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Her fight for survival inside a Dhaka ICU—and the sudden technical failure of the Qatar-provided air ambulance meant to take her to London—has injected fresh uncertainty into an already volatile political landscape.

The National Citizen Party’s public appeal urging the EC to consider the BNP’s “internal circumstances,” along with Jamat-e-Islami’s demand to hold the referendum on a separate day, has further fuelled rumours of a potential postponement.

This debate plays out against the backdrop of the Awami League’s prolonged tenure, during which several national elections were widely criticised—domestically and internationally—as effectively “voterless.”

Opposition boycotts, allegations of mass arrests, intimidation, and the absence of a level playing field resulted in low public participation and uncontested victories in many constituencies. These polls became emblematic of a severe erosion of electoral credibility, regarded by analysts as among the least participatory in Bangladesh’s history.

The BNP, however, is publicly holding its line.

Senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has dismissed the notion that Khaleda Zia’s condition could justify rescheduling the February vote. Nazrul Islam Khan, head of the BNP’s Election Affairs Committee, reiterated that the party does not seek any delay “without unavoidable reasons.” He insisted the BNP is preparing for the polls as planned, pointing to the announcement of additional candidates.

“We hope Khaleda Zia will recover quickly and participate in the election process,” he said. “For 14–15 years, we have been agitating so the people can regain their right to vote. That right can only be exercised through elections. We do not want any delay in handing that right back to the people.”

He warned that even a request to adjust the schedule would be interpreted as a call to delay the election—something the party is unwilling to be seen as endorsing.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, speaking earlier, also voiced alarm over growing public doubts about whether the election will take place on time. “During the rule of the fallen autocrat, people had no interest in elections,” he said. “Now, under the interim government, questions are emerging—will the election be held on time?”

These fears echo deeper concerns rooted in the Awami League’s prolonged tenure, during which multiple national polls were widely criticised—at home and abroad—as effectively “voterless.” Large-scale opposition boycotts, allegations of mass arrests and intimidation, and uncontested victories rendered those elections emblematic of a profound crisis in democratic legitimacy.

Voter-less elections during Awami League regime

Election analysts have voiced mixed views. Abdul Alim noted that challenges remain for law enforcement agencies and that the “vibe” of past credible elections has yet to emerge. Sabbir Ahmed said the EC has had sufficient preparation time but stressed concerns over inclusivity and potential electoral violence.

The EC, meanwhile, has reviewed preparations step by step, from the schedule to the actual voting day. The election timeline is expected to be announced in the second week of this month, with both parliamentary polls and the referendum to take place on the same day in February. Meanwhile, political parties are escalating campaigns, with the nation approaching a defining moment.

As the EC signals firm readiness and political parties escalate their campaigns, Bangladesh now approaches a defining moment. The coming weeks will determine whether the nation can deliver a truly free and competitive election—or whether the turbulence surrounding February risks plunging the country back into another cycle of uncertainty, contestation and mistrust.