Bangladesh’s new interim government led by Muhammad Yunus favors lowering the age limit eligibility for voters to 17 years ahead of the next elections. Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Friday suggested that this is done in order to get more younger generation interested in policy and nation building. He said the minimum age for voters should be 17 years.
In a video message at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh, Yunus emphasized that different nations have different age criteria for their nationals. He suggested that the crucial age for voting should be reduced to 17 years, adding that the youth must be given an opportunity to raise their opinions.
Muhammad Yunus’s Proposal
“To give their (youth) opinion on their future, I think that the voting age for them should be fixed at 17 years,” said Yunus in a message, as quoted by Prothem Alo.
He further also expressed his hope that the nation’s election reform will surely recommend such an age. This is to be noted that the current age for voting in Bangladesh is 18 years.
“I may or may not choose that age. Suppose I am in favor of making young people voters early. The younger they are, the more interested they are in change— this is my argument. The youth give them strength,” the chief advisor added.
He noted that the population of young people in Bangladesh is huge. Their relation with their emerging information technology enables them knowledge and strength.
“I don’t know what the Election Reform Commission will recommend. But if the majority of the people of the country like the age to be recommended by the commission, I will accept it to reach census,” Yunus asserted.
Age Limit to Become an MP reduced to 21 years
Meanwhile, in line with the proposal by Yunus, the constitutional reform commission is considering to reduce the age limit to become an MP to 21 years. The minimum age is currently 25 years.
About Next General Elections in Bangladesh
Additionally, the next elections in Bangladesh are likely to be held in late 2025 or early 2026. This is due to significant changes in the political sphere of the country. After the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amidst widespread countrywide protests.
The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will hold the next general elections. Yunus said that the elections will be held in the nation late next year (2025) and early 2026.
“Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026,” Yunus told AFP recently.
“Throughout, I have emphasized that reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election,” he stated.
Who is Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus took over the position as the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government’s caretaker after the fall of former PM Sheikh Hasina. She fled the country on August 5 amid the rising pressure and nationwide protest, demanding PM’s resignation.
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