DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Wednesday observed the 55th Independence and National Day amid calls for early elections in the country.

The transitional government head Muhammad Yunus paid tributes Wednesday morning to the Liberation War "martyrs" by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, outskirts of the capital Dhaka.

Political parties, social and cultural organizations, foreign diplomats, and the public marked the 1971 Liberation War at the memorial.

Bangladesh began its liberation movement on March 26, 1971, and gained independence on Dec. 16 of the same year from Pakistan.

Marking the day, the key Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) paid tributes to former President Ziaur Rahman, also the party's founder, and demanded early elections.

BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed dismay as the transitional government was yet to declare any roadmap to the next national election.

"This (elections to be held at a date between December and June) is vague. December to June -- six months -- this is not something clear. So, it's not a roadmap. We have been saying time and again that a clear roadmap and early elections are needed. Otherwise, the crises that are being created will not end," he told reporters.

On the eve of the National Day, Yunus said late Tuesday that his government was working to hold the election after "incorporating necessary reforms."

The National Consensus Commission has already started its work, and the meetings with political parties on reform agendas have begun, Yunus said, adding: “Regarding the elections, I have said before, and I say again, the elections will be held between December this year and June next year.” ​​​​​​​