In a formal statement issued from the House of Commons on Tuesday, British Conservative MP Bob Blackman, representing Harrow East, called on Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure its forthcoming general elections in early 2026 are free, fair, transparent, and inclusive.
Blackman emphasised the need for a renewed commitment to democracy and constitutional values, warning that failure to deliver could undermine the nation’s progress.
“Elections are the foundation for democracy and a true reflection of peopleโs will,” Blackman stated, adding that the Yunus administration assumed power with promises to re-establish the rule of law, ensure justice, and promote fair play. “However, despite those promises and pledges, the progress on democratic reform and the restoration of constitutional values and governance had not been on expected lines.”
Praising Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus as “a respectable man of very good repute,” Blackman noted the high expectations tied to his global stature. He urged the interim government to create space for all political parties “of all political hues and colours” to contribute to Bangladesh’s rebuilding.
Blackman made a pointed reference to the country’s minoritiesโHindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Ahmadiyyaโwho have endured heightened vulnerabilities since the July 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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“Their concern for safety and security and their yearning for a fair share in political space must be ensured,” the statement read, calling for special efforts to position minorities as “equal stakeholders” in Bangladesh’s society and polity. Blackman also appealed to Bangladesh’s international well-wishers to rally behind the country in restoring political rights and fostering a just society “without any recrimination and discrimination,” while supporting its hard-won independence in identity, culture, and language.
Blackman’s latest intervention builds on a series of persistent efforts over the past year to spotlight human rights concerns and push for democratic safeguards in Bangladesh. In October 2025, the UK government “strongly condemned” instances of hate and violence against minority religious communities, issuing a statement in the House of Commons directly in response to Blackman’s advocacy.
As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, Blackman had highlighted a recent Insight UK report detailing the persecution of Hindus amid rising attacks in the lead-up to Diwali. He addressed UK MPs, underscoring the report’s revelations of oppression faced by the community during this sacred festival period.
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This followed Blackman’s actions in July 2025, when he first raised alarms in Parliament over escalating threats to Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, and Ahmadiyya minorities. He urged the British government to pursue diplomatic measures to protect these groups and bolster democratic processes. “I raised my concerns about the rising threats to Hindu, Christian, Buddhist & Ahmadiyya minorities in Bangladesh. Peaceful Rath Yatra celebrations were recently attacked. The Government must press Bangladesh to protect minorities and uphold democracy,” Blackman posted on X at the time.
During a parliamentary address, Blackman referenced his earlier interventions and a seminar he hosted to amplify voices from affected communities. “Now, Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I raised the plight of minority groups in Bangladesh, and yesterday I hosted a seminar where we heard from representatives of the Hindu, Christian, Buddhist & Ahmadiyya who are all under direct attack in Bangladesh,” he said.
He spotlighted a specific incident of violence during a Rath Yatra procession, decrying how “Islamist thugs attacked them and absolutely disgracefully destroyed that wonderful procession” in both Bangladesh and Harrow. Blackman also lambasted the interim administration for its lack of clarity on election timelines at the time, stating, “Equally, the current interim government in Bangladesh has failed to announce the dates of the general election when a proper democratic government will be elected in Bangladesh.” He pressed for a Foreign Office statement to apply pressure on Dhaka to safeguard minorities.
These steps underscore Blackman’s role as a vocal advocate, particularly through the APPG, in holding Bangladesh accountable amid its transitional challenges.
The MP’s remarks arrive as Bangladesh ramps up preparations for its national polls, now slated for February 2026 following confirmation by Yunus in August 2025. On Wednesday, Yunus directed officials during a meeting with law enforcement agencies to finalise all election readiness by December, including the deployment of 800,000 personnel across 47,000 polling stationsโcomprising 570,000 Ansar members and 141,000 police officers equipped with body cameras.
“Chief Adviser has directed to complete all preparations for the elections by December,” Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumdar told ANI. He added that a random reshuffle of officials is ordered, with those involved in the last three “controversial” elections minimised in duties.
This aligns with Yunus’ June 2025 talks with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London, where he indicated elections could occur in the first half of February 2026, potentially even before Ramadan, provided reforms on justice and governance advance sufficiently.
“The Chief Adviser said that he has announced that the elections will be held by the first half of February next year. If all preparations are completed, the elections could be held even in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026,” a joint statement noted. “In that case, it will be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reform and justice within that period.”
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