Bangladesh Interim Govt Targets Mid-February Handover After Election: Press Secretary
Dhaka, Feb 6, 2026: The interim government plans to hand over state power to the newly elected administration within days of the national election, with the process not expected to go beyond February 17 or 18, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul Alam said the authorities are focused on ensuring a rapid and smooth transition once the election concludes.
The remarks came after a meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Polls Scheduled for February 12
Bangladesh will hold voting for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election on February 12. A nationwide referendum on the July National Charter is also scheduled to take place on the same day.
Shafiqul Alam said the timeline for the transfer of power depends on how quickly the post-election formalities are completed.
“If members of parliament take their oath within three days of the election, the leader of the majority party can then be invited to take the oath as prime minister,” he said. “In that case, the transition could be completed by February 15 or 16. We do not foresee it extending beyond February 17 or 18.”
Govt Reaffirms Speedy Transition
Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder echoed the commitment to a prompt handover, saying the interim administration intends to transfer authority to elected representatives at the earliest possible time after the polls.
He noted that the government’s position on a swift transition had already been communicated previously.
Law Adviser on Oath Process
Earlier, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul spoke to journalists at the Secretariat about the oath-taking of newly elected lawmakers.
He said the issue is still under policy-level review and that a final decision has yet to be taken.
According to him, one option is for a President-nominated individual, potentially the Chief Justice, to administer the oath. Alternatively, the Chief Election Commissioner could conduct the oath-taking, though that route may require a waiting period of three days.
“As a government, we want the oath-taking to happen as quickly as possible after the election,” Asif Nazrul said.
