Bangladesh’s major political parties welcomed the election schedule announced for February 12, saying it ended uncertainty over the 13th national vote.
Chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said a referendum on political reforms would be held the same day.
“The announcement has reassured us,” said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties urged the commission to ensure a level playing field and remove illegal arms.
National Citizen Party coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary questioned the commission’s neutrality and law-enforcement readiness.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus faces pressure over delayed reforms, while election officials say about 128 million voters will cast ballots nationwide.