Kathmandu: Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Mohammad Yunus, has reiterated his commitment to holding general elections by April 2026 and ensuring a smooth transfer of power to an elected government. Speaking at Chatham House, a prominent foreign policy think tank in London, Yunus emphasized that neither he nor any member of his interim administration has any interest in remaining in office beyond the transitional period.

Yunus came to power following a student-led uprising in August 2024 that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year rule. Addressing the current political situation, the 84-year-old said he does not seek any political office and insisted that the primary goal of the interim government is to manage the transition and restore democracy in the country.

The interim leader also announced that his administration will unveil a comprehensive reform plan, dubbed the "July Charter," next month. This package, being developed by the government’s consensus commission in consultation with political parties, aims to overhaul Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and build a new political framework after Hasina's departure from power.

Yunus stressed that the reforms being introduced are essential for ensuring free and fair elections. He said that the April 2026 timeline was set after repeated demands from political parties, but he believes the longer the interim government has to implement reforms, the better the outcome for the country’s democratic future. “Our job is to manage the transition well,” Yunus said. “When we hand over power to an elected government, we want the people to be happy. Ensuring fair elections is a very important factor for us. If there are irregularities in the elections, this matter will never be resolved again.”

In addition to his policy announcements, Yunus is expected to meet with Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in London. Rahman, who has been living in exile since his 2008 conviction under Hasina’s government, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and is expected to return to Dhaka to lead the BNP in the upcoming elections.

As Bangladesh approaches a crucial moment in its political history, Yunus’s emphasis on inclusivity, institutional reform, and electoral integrity signals a strong attempt to rebuild democratic trust in a nation long divided by political strife.