Bangladesh’s interim government chief says elections could take place by the end of 2025

National elections may be held by the end of 2025, according to the head of Bangladesh’s interim administration.

The leader of the interim administration, Muhammad Yunus, said Monday that national elections in Bangladesh might be held by the end of 2025, provided that the required electoral changes are finished.

Following the resignation of previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid widespread protests, Yunus—Bangladesh’s lone Nobel laureate—has been in charge of the interim administration since August.

Elections could be held by the end of 2025, Yunus stated in a televised speech, “if there is political consensus and the voter list is prepared accurately with only minor reforms.”

Earlier in September, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the head of Bangladesh’s army and a major factor in Hasina’s resignation, told Reuters that democracy should be restored in 12 to 18 months. He did this by refusing to back Hasina during the violent student protests.

When Yunus spoke on the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh’s separation from Pakistan, he made it clear that elections would only take place following the required reforms.

In light of national consensus, the 84-year-old said, “it may take at least another six months if additional reforms are needed.”

The opposition, which includes the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of the two main political parties in the country along with the Awami League, has been outspoken in calling for early elections.