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The UN Human Rights Office has recommended ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates participating in Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections.

The UN Office recommended in its recent report that “ensure the re-introduction of special measures, particularly in the pre-election period, to ensure equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates participating in the elections.”

On February 12, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released an investigative report titled “Human rights violations and abuses in connection with the July and August 2024 protests in Bangladesh” from its Geneva office.

The OHCHR called for a safe and supportive environment for free and fair elections, including respect for fundamental freedoms.

The Office also emphasized the need to strengthen oversight institutions to balance the influence of political parties in the governance system.

The UN human rights office has recommended the development of citizen-led participatory mechanisms to more actively and directly involve citizens and rights holders in the democratic process.

The report calls for a comprehensive consultative process to ensure that the internal management of political parties is consistent with human rights principles.

OHCHR has urged the Bangladesh government to refrain from banning political parties, saying it could hinder the restoration of a genuine multi-party democracy and effectively disenfranchise a large segment of the electorate in Bangladesh.

The office also recommended the effective implementation of existing laws and regulations to ensure genuine equality between women and men in political and public life. It has called for temporary special measures to be taken if necessary.

At a press conference in the capital on Saturday, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the principal adviser, said that the interim government has already announced a roadmap for the elections.

He said, ‘We have informed that if the political parties agree to proceed with the elections with minimum reforms, the elections can be held by December this year.’

Shafiqul Alam further explained, ‘If the parties want to hold the elections after implementing additional reforms, then there can be a delay of up to three months.’

On December 16, 2024, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that after completing the necessary reforms, the next general elections can be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026.

In his speech to the nation on Victory Day, he said, ‘Basically, the date of this election can be fixed between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026.’

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