Student leaders today reiterated the need for necessary reforms before elections are held.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus today said it may be possible to hold the next national elections in late 2025 or in the first half of 2026.

Reacting to this schedule, top leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement and Bangladesh Students’ Union have demanded that essential reforms be visible before the proposed elections.

Nasir Uddin Nasir, central general secretary of the JCD, told The Daily Star: “The BNP has not proposed a specific timetable for the elections. However, the ongoing reforms must progress quickly and the responsibility for governing the country must be entrusted to elected officials. representatives as soon as possible through elections. Reform is an ongoing process, and it must continue.

Abdul Hannan Masud, chief organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said: “We view the interim government’s election schedule positively. Elections should take place as soon as possible. However, we also demanded a clear roadmap for reforms before setting the timetable for reforms. electoral calendar. Perhaps the senior advisor is working on such a roadmap. This roadmap could outline the reforms to be implemented within this time frame, after which elections will take place if the electoral calendar is scheduled for the end of next year or the beginning of the following year. year, so be it. But reforms must precede elections.

Mahir Shahriar Reza, president of the Bangladesh Students’ Union, said: “We believe that the existing electoral system in Bangladesh needs reforms. We called for the introduction of a proportional representation system, the depoliticization of the Electoral Commission and the enactment of the Electoral Commission Act. . If the interim government succeeds in implementing these necessary reforms and holding elections by 2025, we will applaud this effort. »

He added: “We also believe that the prolonged rule of an unelected government is not beneficial for the practice of democracy in the country. Therefore, we want the reforms to be completed quickly, followed by elections as soon as possible. followed by elections. »