Nahid Islam: Bangladesh Elections This Year 'Difficult' Amid Ongoing Unrest

Nahid Islam, the leader of the newly formed Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), has expressed skepticism about the interim government's ability to conduct general elections in Bangladesh this year due to ongoing unrest and insufficient policing reforms. In his first interview as party head, Islam, a former adviser to the interim government, stated that the current law and order situation is inadequate for holding a national election. His comments come after the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, indicated that elections might be postponed until late 2025 amid escalating violence and unrest. Analysts see Islam's youth-led party as a potential disruptor in Bangladesh's political landscape, traditionally dominated by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), both of which are calling for early elections. Islam emphasized the necessity of achieving consensus on the ‘Proclamation of the July Revolution’ as a precondition for elections. Despite the turbulence, the NCP is preparing to participate in the elections when they occur.