The BNP expressed its disappointment yesterday over the absence of a specific date for the next parliamentary polls in the chief adviser's recent address to the nation.

The party urged the interim government to set an election date through dialogues with political parties and other stakeholders.

It also pointed out that conflicting statements from the chief adviser and his press secretary about the election timeline have created confusion.

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"We had hoped that the chief adviser would come up with a clear election roadmap, but he did not do so. This has left us and the nation disappointed," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He was speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office in the morning.

In an address to the nation on Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus hinted that the 13th parliamentary polls could be held either at the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026.

However, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said the next general election could be expected by June 30, 2026.

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The BNP said since the new Election Commission has already been formed, there is no justification for delaying the next general election.

"It is possible to hold the election after completing the election-related reforms. Hence, the people expect a clear statement from the chief adviser on this matter," said Fakhrul.

The chief adviser has delivered five speeches to the nation since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. Following each speech, the BNP has called for a clear election roadmap with a specific timeline.

Fakhrul said although the new EC has already been formed, the BNP does not see any preparations for the general election.

He said the CA in his speech mentioned a possible timeframe for the election, but failed to provide clear details about the election roadmap.

"The chief adviser referred to late 2025 or January 2026 as possible dates for the next general election, but his press secretary later stated that elections might be held in June 2026. These contradictory statements will only cause confusion.

"We are uncertain about which statement is correct. It does not seem logical and it has left us disappointed."

Asked whether political parties are prepared for elections, he replied that parties are always ready for elections. "Everything will become clear once the election date is announced."

Enquired whether the BNP would take any measures against former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque over the scrapping of the caretaker government system,

Fakhrul said, "Whenever the right time or opportunity arises, he [Khairul] will be brought to book."

The party welcomed the recent High Court verdict that scrapped part of the 15th amendment.

"We welcome and appreciate this verdict," said Fakhrul.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed also spoke at the press conference.

On Tuesday, the HC scrapped part of the 15th constitutional amendment that abolished the non-party caretaker government system. It also gave some observations.

Fakhrul said the HC recognised that the next elected parliament will be the only appropriate forum for amending the constitution.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Habibul Awal has rightly said that law enforcement agencies will have to bear the responsibility if there is any communal violence before, during or after the upcoming election. He said this after a meeting with the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad where the organisation's general secretary has asked that areas dominated by minorities be declared as 'risky zones' during the election period and that security be beefed up in these areas. It is sad but true that such misgivings are not ill-founded as there have been incidents of communal violence surrounding elections in the past, which makes the CEC's statement all the more significant.

In the last few years, attackers have targeted minority communities, and the law enforcers have displayed apathy or reluctance in catching the culprits, who are often linked to influential groups. The fear of repercussions has prevented many victims from filing cases against their attackers. Even when cases have been filed, the likelihood of bringing the attackers to book is very slim. So, isn't it the law enforcers' job and moral obligation to investigate these incidents and arrest the suspects and have them tried in court? Or is it their role to only please one particular party because they may lose their jobs if they don't?

Let us not forget, moreover, that violence is not limited to attacks on minorities but can erupt against any individual during elections, making the role of the law enforcers critical in preventing it. So far, the police's role during political events has been far from unbiased. The attacks on opposition members during rallies, in the present times as well as in the past, where there was a strong presence of the police, have shown the level of bias with which they have operated. We have seen blatant camaraderie of the law enforcers and members of Chhatra League who have unleashed their wrath on members of the opposition and practically anyone who appeared to be critical of the ruling party. And in most cases, the police did not do anything to stop ruling party men from their assault. Meanwhile, law enforcers have shown their alacrity in arresting opposition members and filing all kinds of cases against them. Sometimes individuals who were not even present in the country during the alleged "crime" have had cases filed against them, sometimes even if they weren't alive.

The image of law enforcement agencies has taken a heavy blow in recent years because of alleged crimes committed by some of their members. But it is the politicisation of the police and other law enforcers that has been the biggest letdown for the people. The upcoming election will show us whether the law enforcement agencies will live up to the role envisioned by the CEC as well as the role we, the people, want to see, which is to protect every member of the public, regardless of their political affiliation.

Leaders of the 12-party alliance, who previously organised joint movements with the BNP against the former Awami League government, have expressed support for the BNP's position on holding the next parliamentary elections by 2025.

They argue that failing to conduct the elections within this timeframe could lead to further delays. As a result, they have agreed to exert pressure on the interim government to ensure the elections take place by next year.

This stance was shared during a meeting with the BNP's liaison committee at the party chairperson's Gulshan office last evening.

The alliance leaders also reiterated their commitment to supporting the BNP's decisions regarding the national election and the formation of a new political party by student leaders involved in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August.

A source from the meeting told The Daily Star that the meeting agreed to demand the election be held by December 2025.

"We heard their [the BNP's] views on the formation of the new political party, which appears to have support from the interim government. While everyone has the right to form a political party, doing so with state backing is unacceptable," the source, speaking anonymously, said.

This dialogue marks the beginning of the BNP's consultations with like-minded parties that stood with them during the anti-Awami League movements. The talks aim to solidify unity among political parties and gather their opinions on the upcoming general election.

After the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that no final decisions had been made regarding the meeting's agenda.

"We have initiated the dialogue, and the parties have assured us of their continued support, as they did during the anti-Awami League movements."

He added that the meeting focused on the country's current political and economic situation, with further discussions planned with other like-minded parties. "We will make decisions after these talks conclude."

Mostafa Jamal Haidar, chairman of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), noted that the meeting also addressed the possibility of organising joint programmes between the BNP and its allied parties.

"The need for unity remains. We must strengthen this unity moving forward. We will announce our joint programmes soon," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh LDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Salim, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Chairman Nurul Amin Bepari, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party President Rashed Pradhan, among others, were also present at the meeting.