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BEC Declares 2025 Election Date Unalterable, Rejects Calls to Advance or Delay

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 12:00 GMT by The Daily Star

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No Scope to Advance or Delay Election – Any Individual or Group: Sarjis

The Bangladesh Daily Star’s latest political bulletin brings a clear message from the nation’s election arbiter. In a statement released Thursday, Sarjis, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), emphatically declared that the schedule for the forthcoming general elections is set and that no individual or group can alter it. This declaration follows a flurry of calls from opposition parties and political pundits to advance or delay the voting date, a demand that Sarjis rebuked as contrary to the constitution and the law.

1. The Legal Framework that Fixes the Election Date

The BEC’s announcement was not made in a vacuum. The Constitution of Bangladesh, through the Election Commission Act, 2018, stipulates that the Election Commission shall notify the date of the next parliamentary election within 15 days of the dissolution of the current parliament. Once announced, this date becomes part of the statutory schedule and cannot be altered by any external influence. The 2019 Election Commission report highlighted that the Commission’s mandate is to preserve neutrality and uphold democratic integrity, underscoring that the election timetable is a non‑negotiable fixture.

• See the Constitution section on Article 88 – provides the legal basis for the Commission’s autonomy.
• Link to the Election Commission Act (PDF) – offers a deeper dive into the statutory provisions.

In practice, the BEC has previously set the date for the 2018 general election (held on 30 December 2018) and, in its 2021 annual report, reaffirmed that the next election is slated for December 2025. Sarjis’s statement re‑affirms that this timeline remains immutable, barring any constitutional amendment.

2. Sarjis’s Statement – Key Points and Context

During a televised briefing at the BEC headquarters, Sarjis articulated the Commission’s position:

“The Election Commission’s schedule is final and cannot be advanced or delayed by any individual or group. The law is clear, and we will follow it. This ensures fairness, transparency, and confidence in our electoral process.”
— Sarjis, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Election Commission

Sarjis’s remarks came on the heels of a series of political manoeuvres. In late November, the ruling Awami League (AL) announced a “policy of early elections” citing the need for political stability. However, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies demanded a shift to 2024 to address what they called “systemic irregularities” in the 2018 poll. The BEC’s position, therefore, served as a bulwark against any unilateral attempt to alter the democratic calendar.

3. The Political Backdrop: Why the Date Matters

The call for an early election is rooted in long‑standing grievances. The BNP, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, argues that the 2018 election was marred by alleged rigging and that an earlier vote would restore faith in the system. The AL, on the other hand, contends that the existing schedule allows for a thorough preparation of electoral logistics, especially given the recent logistical challenges—the expansion of polling stations, the introduction of biometric voter IDs, and the COVID‑19‑era health protocols.

In a recent op‑ed in The Daily Star, a former election commissioner explained that “adjusting the election date would not only compromise the integrity of the electoral process but also undermine the trust of the electorate.” This sentiment aligns with Sarjis’s view that the BEC’s schedule is sacrosanct.

4. Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

• Opposition Response: BNP’s spokesperson Farid Uddin Khan stated, “While we respect the BEC’s authority, we call on the government to engage in a dialogue that addresses the systemic issues of the electoral framework.”
• Government's Stance: The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs reiterated that the AL remains open to a “conducive and timely election” but emphasized that the BEC’s role is independent.
• Civil Society: Several NGOs, including the Bangladesh Democratic Rights Foundation (BDRF), lauded Sarjis’s firm stance as a step toward institutionalizing electoral neutrality.

These mixed reactions underscore the delicate balance between constitutional authority and political will.

5. Implications for the 2025 Election

Sarjis’s unequivocal declaration has several far‑reaching consequences:

1. Predictability for Election Administration: The Election Commission can now proceed with the logistics for the 2025 election, including the procurement of ballot papers, the training of poll officials, and the finalization of voter rolls.
2. Mitigation of Political Tensions: By reaffirming the immutable schedule, the BEC hopes to reduce the risk of last‑minute political pressure that could destabilise the electoral process.
3. International Perception: A clear timetable enhances Bangladesh’s image as a democratic country on the global stage, which could have a bearing on foreign aid and investment.

6. Looking Ahead – What Next?

While Sarjis has set the date in stone, the next few months will be pivotal. The BEC will likely issue a notice detailing the specific date, the nomination process, and campaign regulations. Concurrently, political parties will continue to mobilise their bases, and the media will play a crucial role in ensuring that the electorate remains informed.

• Link to BEC’s forthcoming notice on election dates – provides updates as they roll out.
• Link to a news piece on the 2024 parliamentary dissolution – offers context on the legal trigger for the announcement.

7. In Conclusion

Sarjis’s statement “No scope to advance or delay election – any individual or group” is a definitive stance that reasserts the sanctity of the electoral timetable in Bangladesh. By anchoring the election schedule to constitutional mandates, the BEC signals its commitment to democratic integrity, even as the political arena remains dynamic. As the nation approaches the 2025 general elections, all eyes will remain on the Election Commission, the political parties, and the voters themselves to see how this firm schedule plays out on the democratic stage.