United News of Bangladesh

Authorities have identified 351 polling centres in Kurigram district as high-risk out of a total of 706 stations across its four parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election. Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath disclosed the information at a meeting of the District Law and Order Committee held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room on Sunday. She said the district administration is determined to ensure a fair, peaceful and neutral election. Of the total polling centres, 351 have been classified as high-risk, while 14 centres in char areas lack electricity connections. Power supply to those centres will be ensured through generators, she added. The deputy commissioner also said instructions have been issued to the concerned departments to improve weak internet connectivity in char areas. Superintendent of Police Khandaker Fazle Rabbi said the upcoming election requires joint cooperation from law enforcement agencies, political parties, journalists and professionals, expressing optimism that an acceptable election can be held with collective efforts. BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mahbub Ul Haque said 490 BGB members will be deployed to maintain law and order in five upazilas, including Phulbari, Nageshwari, Kurigram Sadar and Ulipur. Army Camp Commander Major Inzamamul Alam Inzam said 650 army personnel will be deployed to assist in the election process, adding that a list of saboteurs has been prepared and necessary actions are underway. Participants at the meeting urged all stakeholders to act responsibly to ensure the election is held in a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Among others, District BNP Convener Mostafizur Rahman, Senior Joint Convener Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, District Jamaat Secretary Nizam Uddin, journalist Syed Babu, leaders of various political parties and concerned officials were present.  

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for 58 previously rejected aspirants to contest the upcoming national election on February 12. Among them is Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna for Bogura-2, two Jamaat-e-Islami nominees for Chandpur-2 and Bogura-2, and six Jatiya Party aspirants, raising the stakes in several key constituencies ahead of the February 12 polls. Acting as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal, the Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin heard a total of 71 appeal petitions at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Sunday. Of the petitions, the Commission granted 58 petitions, rejected seven others and kept six petitions pending to be settled later, said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik. With the 58 aspirants, a total of 109 petitioners returned to the electoral race and one lost candidacy as the EC completed hearing of 132 petitions in the first two days. The EC will hear and dispose of a total of 645 petitions by January 18, which were filed by aggrieved aspirants, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance or cancellation of nomination papers. Those who got back candidacy on Sunday include Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna for Bogura-2, two Jamaat aspirants Mohammad Abdul Mobin for Chandpur-2 and Mujibur Rahman Azadi for Jamalpur-3, six Jatiya Party aspirants Syed Md Iftekhar Ahmed for Cumilla-1, former MP Shariful Islam Jinnah for Bogura-02, Jahurul Haque for Jashore-4, MA Halim for Jashore-5, GM Hasan for Jashore-6 and Iqbal Hossain for Rajshahi-06, two Islami Andolan Bangladesh aspirant Nurul Islam for Dhaka-1 and Abu Noman Md Mamunur Rashid Mandal for Bogura-6. Besides, the petition of Jamaat nominated Mohammad Moslehuddin Farid for Jashore-2 was kept pending to be settle on January 16. Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who submitted nomination papers for Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18 to run the 13th parliamentary election, but his nomination paper for Dhaka-18 was accepted, while his nomination paper for Bogura-2 was cancelled on ground of bank loan default during the scrutiny conducted by the returning officers. Manna, in an instant reaction, said there was a conspiracy behind the cancellation of his nomination, but it has ultimately failed. “I first express my gratitude to Almighty Allah. I firmly believed that this conspiracy would not succeed,” he said. Addressing allegations related to bank loan default, he said the claims that he was a defaulter were completely false. He alleged that a fake notice had been created through an official of Islami Bank’s Bogura Borogola branch. Upon learning about the matter, he contacted the bank’s head office and then disciplinary action was taken against him (the officer) through stand release and transfer. “However, this information did not come to light in the media,” Manna added. Expressing satisfaction with the Election Commission’s role, Manna said the Commission had taken a stand in favour of inclusive politics. Regarding support from the BNP, Manna said the party’s nominated candidate has not yet withdrawn his candidature. “But I hope that since I was formally announced earlier, it will be natural for the candidature to be withdrawn,” he added. Earlier on Saturday, the EC granted 52 appeal petitions and turned down 15 other petitions. With Saturday’s decision, the Commission reinstated 51 candidates in the electoral race and removed one candidate (Brahmanbaria-1) from the race. This time a majority of aspirants who challenged the rejection of their nomination papers have regained eligibility to contest the 13th parliamentary election, as the EC adopted a lenient approach towards minor errors and unintentional mistakes found in nomination documents and affidavits. A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to run the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies within the December-29 deadline. The 69 returning officers- – two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), 64 district deputy commissioners and three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna)—  declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. Bangladesh Polls: EC hearings restore candidacies of most petitioners Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers submitted for three constituencies were not scrutinized. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.

A Dhaka court on Sunday acquitted BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu in tax evasion case. Judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 Rabiul Alam passed the order. Dulu, a former central organising secretary of the BNP, was present during the hearing. Hafiz Al Asad, assistant tax commissioner of National Revenue Board (NBR) filed the case against the BNP leader on August 3, 2008, accusing him of evading Tk10 lakh in income tax against declared earnings of Tk2.34 crore since 1983. Dulu later filed a petition with the High Court challenging the validity of the case.

The murder of Mohammad Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, former joint general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, appears to have stemmed from a business dispute in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar area, according to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Additional Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam shared the details at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday afternoon, outlining the progress of the ongoing investigation. He said the DB identified those involved in the killing and carried out operations across Dhaka, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Bhairab and Kishoreganj. During these drives, one of the two gunmen, Jinnat, 24, was arrested along with the alleged main coordinator of the attack, Mohammad Billal Hossain. Billal’s uncle, Abdul Kadir, 28, who reportedly helped the suspects flee after the incident, was also taken into custody. “The accused had conducted inspection at the crime scene prior to the attack,” Shafiqul Islam noted. Mohammad Riaz, 32, who is believed to have assisted in the investigation, has also been arrested. Authorities recovered a numberless motorcycle used in the attack and Tk 6,000 in cash from the suspects. During preliminary questioning, the arrested individuals confessed to their roles in the murder, though the firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered, the DB chief added. Responding to queries about potential political or underworld motives, Shafiqul Islam said the investigation is ongoing. “As the victim was a political leader, political motives are being examined. However, initial findings indicate the murder was linked to a business dispute,” he said. He clarified that the accused do not have any formal political affiliation, although they were engaged in business in Karwanbazar and had associations with political figures. The second shooter, identified as Rahim, remains at large. The DB is also investigating reports that Tk 1.5 million was allegedly sent from abroad for the killing. Besides, authorities are examining a recent human chain staged by Mosabbir against extortion, during which clashes had occurred and a case was filed. The incident took place last Wednesday around 8pm when gunmen shot Mosabbir in an alley near Hotel Super Star on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue. Abu Sufian Bepari Masud, general secretary of the Tejgaon Thana Van Workers Union, who was accompanying Mosabbir, was also injured in the attack. Political vengeance behind Hadi killing: DB chief Mosabbir had previously served as general secretary of Dhaka North Swechchhasebak Dal and joint secretary of the party’s central committee. Following the killing, his wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a case at Tejgaon Police Station against unidentified suspects, stating that Mosabbir had received death threats in recent days.

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned 25 Bangladeshi citizens who were previously convicted in the UAE. The pardon was granted following a request from Bangladesh, seeking clemency for Bangladeshi nationals arrested in UAE in connection with the events surrounding the July 2024 and subsequently sentenced by UAE courts. Read more: Disney to build its 7th theme park in UAE All 25 individuals have been pardoned and returned to Bangladesh, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday, noting that this act of clemency once again reflects the generosity of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The expatriate Bangladeshis were detained at different times in the UAE during the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh. This humanitarian gesture reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to compassion, tolerance and justice, as well as the deep-rooted, brotherly relations between the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, the Embassy said. Read more: UAE President, PM mourn death of Khaleda Zia Earlier, the President had also pardoned Bangladeshi expatriates several times who were serving sentences for staging a rare protest in the UAE, underscoring the UAE’s humanitarian approach.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen on Sunday said he does not want to see individuals who own assets not disclosed in their election affidavits as future rulers of the country. He made the remarks while responding to a question at the founding anniversary programme of Reporters Against Corruption (RAC), the association of journalists covering the ACC beat. The programme was presided over by RAC President Shafi Uddin Ahmed and conducted by its General Secretary Tabarul Haque. ACC Commissioner Mian Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi, Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid and Secretary Mohammad Khaled Rahim were also present. Referring to the 2008 general election, the ACC chairman said, “Let me remind you that there was a significant discrepancy between the asset information disclosed in the affidavit submitted by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the actual assets later found. Had the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission functioned properly at that time, her candidacy should have been cancelled; but that did not happen.” Seeking journalists’ cooperation in verifying the information submitted with nomination papers, Dr Abdul Momen said it is difficult for the ACC to conduct such detailed scrutiny within a limited timeframe. “If you have any suspicion regarding an individual’s assets, please provide that information to us first. You are investigators yourselves. Conduct investigations and assist us. We do not want those who own undisclosed assets to come to power in the future,” he added. Expressing his expectations regarding the country’s future, the ACC chairman said ensuring good governance and justice for all remains the commission’s goal. “To build a just and fair state, eradication of corruption is essential. We expect that those who will govern in the future must be righteous and committed to justice,” he said.  

Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Sunday regained his candidacy for Bogura-2 constituency as the Election Commission declared his nomination paper valid after hearing his appeal petition. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, accepted his appeal petition filed, challenging the decision of returning officer that cancelled his nomination paper submitted in Bogura-2 constituency (Shibganj Upazila). The EC that acts as the electoral appeal tribunal heard his petition and announced the decision at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Manna, in an instant reaction, said there was a conspiracy behind the cancellation of his nomination, but it has ultimately failed. “I first express my gratitude to Almighty Allah. I firmly believed that this conspiracy would not succeed,” he said. He observed that the purpose of scrutinising nomination papers is not to exclude candidates but to allow them to correct mistakes that could be corrected instantly. Manna said he had contested elections from Bogura in the past and was doing so again this time. Addressing allegations related to bank loan default, he said the claims that he was a defaulter were completely false. He alleged that a fake notice had been created through an official of Islami Bank’s Bogura Borogola branch. Upon learning about the matter, he contacted the bank’s head office and then disciplinary action was taken against him (the officer) through stand release and transfer. “However, this information did not come to light in the media,” Manna added. Without naming any of his rivals, Manna said political competition is natural, but attempting to defeat opponents through unfair means is not politics. “You cannot win through conspiracy,” he said. Expressing satisfaction with the Election Commission’s role, Manna said the Commission had taken a stand in favour of inclusive politics. He said the mentality of securing victory by excluding opponents stifles democracy. Top court orders removal of Manna’s name from loan defaulters list Regarding support from the BNP, Manna said the party’s nominated candidate has not yet withdrawn his candidature. “But I hope that since I was formally announced earlier, it will be natural for the candidature to be withdrawn,” he added. Manna, who submitted nomination papers for Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18 to run the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12 next. His nomination paper for Dhaka-18 was accepted, his nomination paper for Bogura-2 was cancelled on ground of bank loan default during the scrutiny conducted by the returning officers.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs on Sunday explained what exactly they mean by ‘inclusive and participatory’, stressing the inclusion of all social groups in the elections. "And as for the inclusive participatory, this is an important issue. I think the inclusive means, from our perspective first of all, the inclusion of all social groups of Bangladesh citizens - groups like women, groups like ethnic, religious, minorities, and also the regional groups to participate," he said. During a crowded media briefing, a journalist drew attention to the sudden shift in the meaning of the terms inclusive and participatory. In response, Chief Observer Ijabs said participation was precisely what they were seeking - a credible voter turnout in the elections. He also said such participation would signal that Bangladeshi citizens are actively engaging in the democratic process to decide their own future.  

The quiet morning in Whykong union, Teknaf, was shattered when an 11-year-old girl was hit by a stray bullet, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by communities along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Tanzina Afrin, daughter of Jashim Uddin, was in the Lamba Beel area around 7:00am on Sunday when a bullet hit her on the head. The round is believed to have crossed into Bangladesh during a gunfight in neighbouring Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where clashes were taking place between the Arakan Army and a separatist group. Md Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, said the injury was caused by stray gunfire originating from across the border amid the ongoing conflict. Myanmar presses ahead with second phase of elections amid ongoing conflict As panic spread in the locality, family members and neighbours rushed Tanzina to hospital. She was later transferred to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment, according to additional superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Police Alak Biswas. Security forces, including members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Bangladesh Army and local police, moved to the area soon after receiving information about the incident.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has increased the speed of all its existing internet packages by up to three times, while keeping monthly charges unchanged, aiming to provide faster and more digital-friendly services for its customers. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology issued a media release in this regard on Sunday. The upgraded speeds are expected to enhance online education, office work, video streaming, gaming, and other digital services, allowing users to enjoy significantly faster internet at the same cost. BTCL taking steps to restore .bd domain  Under the new packages, the Tk 399 Sulov-5 plan (5 Mbps) has been upgraded to Shasroyi-20 with 20 Mbps, Tk 500 Sulov-12 (12 Mbps) to Shasroyi-25 with 25 Mbps, and Tk 500 Campus-15 to Campus-50 with 50 Mbps. Other packages have also been enhanced: Tk 800 Sulov-15 is now Shasroyi-50 (50 Mbps), Tk 1,050 Sulov-20 to Shasroyi-100 (100 Mbps), Tk 1,150 Sulov-25 to Shasroyi-120 (120 Mbps), Tk 1,300 Sulov-30 to Shasroyi-130 (130 Mbps), Tk 1,500 Sulov-40 to Shasroyi-150 (150 Mbps), and Tk 1,700 Sulov-50 to Shasroyi-170 (170 Mbps). BTCL said it will continue customer-friendly initiatives to ensure quality and reliable internet services in the future.