United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Monday announced a list of 237 potential candidates for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir revealed the list at a press conference at the party Chairperson’s office in Gulshan in the evening. Earlier in the day, the BNP Standing Committee met at the same venue to finalise the names, with Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joining the meeting virtually from London and presiding over it. The meeting lasted for about five hours before Fakhrul came to brief the media. In the announced list, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been nominated for Dinajpur-3, Bogura-7, and Feni-1 constituencies. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been nominated for Bogura-6 while Mirza Fakhrul himself will contest from Thakurgaon-1. Among the Standing Committee members, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will contest from Cumilla-1, Mirza Abbas from Dhaka-8, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy from Dhaka-3, Abdul Moyeen Khan from Narsingdi-2, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury from Chattogram-10, Salahuddin Ahmed from Cox’s Bazar-1, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku from Sirajganj-2, Hafizuddin Ahmed from Bhola-3 and AZM Zahid Hossain from Dinajpur-6. BNP Vice-Chairmen include Altaf Hossain Chowdhury (Patuakhali-1), Barkat Ullah Bulu (Noakhali-3), Mohammad Shahjahan (Noakhali-4), Abdul Awal Mintoo (Feni-3), Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Magura-2), Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad (Cumilla-3) and Ahmed Azam Khan (Tangail-8). From the Chairperson’s Advisory Council, Monirul Haque Chowdhury will contest from Cumilla-6, Amanullah Aman from Dhaka-2, Mahbub Uddin Khokon from Noakhali-1, Zainul Abdin Farroque from Noakhali-4, Zahir Uddin Swapan from Barishal-1, Mujibur Rahman Sarwar from Barishal-5, Lutfuzzaman Babar from Netrakona-4, Tajvir Ul Islam from Kurigram-3, Habibur Rahman Habib from Pabna-4, Mushfiqur Rahman from Brahmanbaria-4, Afroza Khan Rita from Manikganj-3, Moinul Islam Khan from Manikganj-2, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir from Sylhet-1, Tahmina Rashdir Luna from Sylhet-2, Abul Khair Bhuiyan from Lakshmipur-2, Enamul Haque Chowdhury from Sylhet-6, Abdus Salam Pintu from Tangail-2, Zainal Abedin VP Zainal from Feni-2, Fazlur Rahman from Kishoreganj-4, and Naser Rahman from Moulvibazar-3. Among Joint Secretaries General, Khairul Kabir Khokon will contest from Narsingdi-1, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie from Lakshmipur-2, and Syed Emran Saleh Prince from Mymensingh-1. Before announcing the list, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Today we are announcing the names of potential candidates in 237 constituencies. “After discussions with our allied parties, who joined the simultaneous movement with us, some changes may be made later. So this is our list of potential candidates,” Fakhrul said. Over the past few months, several parties including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Ganatantra Mancha, AB Party, LDP, and Bangladesh Labour Party have also announced their own candidate lists separately. BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, AZM Zahid Hossain, along with several organisational and assistant organising secretaries, were present at the press conference. Among the 20 constituencies in Dhaka, candidates have been named in 13. Khandaker Abu Ashfaq is the candidate for Dhaka-1 (Dohar–Nawabganj), Amanullah Aman for Dhaka-2 (Keraniganj), and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy for Dhaka-3 (Keraniganj–Jinjira). Tanvir Ahmed Robin is contesting in Dhaka-4 (Jatrabari), while Nabiullah Nabi represents Dhaka-5 (Demra), and Ishraque Hossain stands for Dhaka-6 (Kotwali–Sutrapur). Mirza Abbas is the candidate for Dhaka-8 (Motijheel–Shahjahanpur–Ramna), M.A. Quayum for Dhaka-11 (Badda), and Saiful Alam Nirob for Dhaka-12 (Tejgaon). In Dhaka-14 (Mirpur), Sanjida Islam Tuli has been named, Shafiqul Islam Milton for Dhaka-15 (Kafrul), Aminul Haque for Dhaka-16 (Pallabi), and Dewan Salahuddin Babu for Dhaka-19 (Savar).  

The 12-party alliance on Monday submitted a letter to the Election Commission asking for keeping the provision of allowing an alliance candidate to run the national election with the symbol of any component of the political coalition. "We, on behalf of the 12-party alliance, object to the amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) that oblige for an alliance candidate to use their own party symbol even if they are elected in an alliance. This change is unacceptable to us in any way,” said the letter. According to the article 20 of the proposed RPO, in the case of a combination of two or more registered political parties who have agreed to set up joint candidates for election, the symbol reserved for the political party to which the candidate belongs may be allotted. The Council of Advisers has recently approved the draft Representation of People (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. “We’re strongly protesting this change,” said the 12-party alliance, in the letter. The 12 parties of the alliance include Jatiya Party (headed by Mostafa Jamal Haider), LDP (headed by Shahadat Hossain Selim), Jatiya Dal (Syed Ihsanul Huda), Bangladesh Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam (Mohiuddin Ekram), Bikalpadhara Bangladesh (Nurul Amin Bepari), Islami Oikyajot (Abdur Rakib), Bangladesh Labour Party (Mohammad Faruque), Bangladesh Kalyan Party (Shamsuddin Parvej), Naya Ganatantrik Party (Abdul Mannan), Islamic Party (MA Kashem), Progotisheel Jatiyatabadi Dal (Firoj Mohammad Liton) and United Liberal Party (Aminul Islam).

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee at noon on Monday (3rd November 2025) at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The meeting will begin at 12:30pm, followed by a press conference at 3pm at the same venue, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. BNP’s divisional organising secretaries have also been asked to attend the meeting at the Chairperson’s office. Party sources said Tarique Rahman, who will join the meeting virtually from London, will chair the session, while other Standing Committee members will be present in person. Election uncertainty may endanger democratic transition: Tarique Several senior BNP leaders said the meeting will mainly focus on finalising single candidates for each constituency under the party and its alliance for the upcoming national election. The meeting comes a day after Tarique Rahman announced that BNP would soon release the first phase of its nomination list while launching the party’s new online payment gateway for membership renewal and registration at a programme held at a Gulshan hotel on Sunday. Tarique said it is not possible to nominate everyone, and BNP has also decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that took part in the anti-fascist movement alongside BNP. “Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not get party nominations.” He urged all BNP leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy. “Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. So do not let petty resentments, quarrels or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can take advantage of your differences,” Tarique warned. Fakhrul urges BNP leaders to strengthen digital presence Party insiders said Tarique had held discussions with potential candidates from different divisions over the past two weeks at the Chairperson’s office. He instructed all aspirants to support whoever is officially nominated with the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Sources said the first list may include around 200 constituencies. Earlier, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the party expected to publish its initial list of about 200 candidates in early November. “All nominated and non-nominated aspirants must work together for the officially endorsed candidate,” Salahuddin said. Bangladesh voter count hits 12.76 crore

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday voiced concern over the growing public doubt about whether the upcoming national election will be held as scheduled, saying that such uncertainty could put the country’s democratic transition at risk. “During the rule of the fallen, defeated and fugitive autocrat, people had no interest in national elections. Now, under the interim government, questions are being raised among the public — will the election be held on time?” he said. While virtually inaugurating the BNP’s membership collection and renewal drive abroad and online payment gateway activities at a city hotel, Tarique said such a situation was not supposed to arise under the interim government. “The doubts and uncertainty among people about the election may make the path of democratic transition more difficult,” he said. Tarique said the Awami League established fascism by destroying the country’s electoral system over the past 15 years only to prevent the BNP’s victory. “It is a matter of concern and surprise that even in a fascism-free Bangladesh, a coordinated campaign and various tricks are now being used to block the BNP’s possible victory.” Read more: Fakhrul urges BNP leaders to strengthen digital presence “But I firmly believe that if every believer in Bangladeshi nationalism and nationalist forces remains united, no conspiracy will be able to separate the BNP from the people, InshaAllah,” he said. As a responsible political party, the BNP leader said their party has from the very beginning chosen the path of compromise to maintain national unity against fascism. He said BNP has also extended cooperation to the interim government as much as possible from its position. “But we have seen how new conditions are being added one after another, making the path to democracy more difficult. We must stay alert about the consequences of such actions,” he said. Tarique urged all democratic political parties to remain cautious about any evil attempt that may put them in danger. “If we fail to distinguish between strategy and deception, we may ultimately end up surrendering unconditionally to undemocratic or evil forces. I sincerely urge all democratic political parties currently active in Bangladesh to keep this danger in mind.” Read more: Enemies of Bangladesh trying to create instability again, warns Fakhrul Referring to the government’s announcement of holding the national election in February next year, he said the Election Commission will declare the election schedule in due time. The BNP leader said their party is completing all necessary preparations to take part in this much-awaited election. “As part of this process, the nomination of BNP candidates or BNP-backed candidates in the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies is now at its final stage.” As a popular and people-backed party, he said it is normal that in almost every constituency, several qualified BNP leaders are seeking nominations. “This is a matter of pride and honour for any political party.” Tarique said it is not possible to nominate everyone, and BNP has also decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that took part in the anti-fascist movement alongside BNP. “Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not get party nominations.” He urged all BNP leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy. Read more: BNP announces 10-day programme to mark November 7 “Please consider the party’s decision as final. I want to remind you of the words of the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman: ‘The party is greater than the individual, and the country is greater than the party,” Tarique said. He said the names of BNP-nominated candidates will soon be announced in phases. “Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. So do not let petty resentments, quarrels or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can take advantage of your differences.” Tarique also reminded those seeking nominations that they are all followers of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and soldiers of Begum Khaleda Zia. “Remember, if the BNP’s symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ wins, you win, democracy wins, and the country wins.” He urged all party leaders and activists not to engage in any behaviour that could disrespect the party founder Ziaur Rahman or its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, or embarrass the party’s countless supporters across the country. “Stay with the people and keep them with you,” he said. Tarique concluded his speech by launching the BNP’s online membership and payment gateway through the website www.bnpbd.org, which allows anyone from anywhere in the world to become a member, renew their membership, or donate to the party online. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul He said the new digital initiative would help the BNP move forward in step with technological progress. Tarique said the new opportunity for overseas Bangladeshis to vote for the first time may seem a bit complicated to some, but he congratulated the Election Commission for opening this avenue. “InshaAllah, if BNP comes to power, we will take steps to make the voting process for expatriates even simpler in the future,” he said. On women’s safety, Tarique stressed the urgency of protecting women and children. “About half of our population is female, yet the state and society often remain indifferent to their safety, and recently this negligence seems to be becoming more visible.” Referring to a newspaper report, he said that in August alone, 93 women across the country were subjected to sexual assault, seven of whom were killed afterwards and 89 women were killed during the same period. Read more: CA’s office asks officials to avoid foreign travels until election “A society where women and children are not safe cannot be considered truly civilised. I call not only on the BNP’s women’s wing but also on the conscious women of Bangladesh and all citizens to pay attention. From your positions, speak with our daughters, mothers, and sisters, prepare local-level proposals to address their problems, and ensure women’s safety,” the BNP leader said. Tarique also said the state cannot remain indifferent and the government and administration must play their role in ensuring the safety of women. “At the same time, as a political party and as party workers, it is our duty to take any position or role needed to build a safe society for women. Social initiatives to protect women and children have, in my personal view, become extremely urgent,” he said. Read more: Bangladesh voter count hits 12.76 crore

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged the party leaders and activists to strengthen their digital presence and make the full use of modern technology to spread its message among people at home and abroad. “The war now is being fought in the cyber world. It’s no longer about how many speeches you deliver or how many rallies you hold. What really matters is how many people you can reach digitally,” he said at the inauguration of the BNP’s overseas membership collection and renewal campaign, along with its new online payment gateway activities, at a city hotel. Fakhrul acknowledged that many senior leaders are not very familiar with modern technology.  “Our generation is a bit less educated in this field.  My grandson knows much more than I do about how to use these digital tools. But I believe our young generation will take this initiative forward with greater enthusiasm and help spread the party’s message to people,” he said. The BNP leader called upon all party leaders to adapt quickly to digital tools as this is the age of technology. “We have no alternative but to learn technology quickly and move forward in this digital era. I have no hesitation in saying that we are still a bit behind in this area. I would like to urge all our party leaders at every level to take personal initiative so that we can move forward digitally and make real progress in this field,” he said. Fakhrul also stressed the importance of supporting the acting chairman’s social media activities. “When our chairman posts something, we must engage with it — like it, share it and comment on it. This is how we can show unity and strengthen our digital communication.” He thanked the party’s acting chairman for taking the initiative to launch the digital membership and payment gateway project and expressed hope that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, BNP will continue to move forward with the power of technology. The BNP leader said the month of November is very significant for their party as 50 years ago, on November 7, 1975, the revolution of soldiers and mass people took place. “Through that revolution, our party’s founder and the architect of modern Bangladesh, the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, entered politics.” He said the revolution changed the course of Bangladesh’s history. “When Ziaur Rahman came to power, the country began to transform. We saw a new Bangladesh emerge. He freed the country from one-party BAKSAL rule and established a multi-party democratic system,” Fakhrul said. The BNP leader also said Zia ensured freedom of the media and the judiciary, opening the door to democracy and economic reform. He added that Ziaur Rahman led Bangladesh from a closed economy to an open, free-market one within just three and a half years. “Later, Begum Khaleda Zia strengthened democracy by moving from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government,” he said. Rejecting claims that BNP opposes reforms, Fakhrul said, “This is a planned propaganda. In fact, BNP was the first to introduce reforms and work for building a modern Bangladesh.”

National Citizens Party (NCP) has finally agreed to accept ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli) instead of ‘Water Lily’ as its electoral symbol during its registration as a new political party. "We’re taking Shapla Koli....But we’ve not yet received an explanation as to why Water Lily will not be given (to us)," said NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary after a meeting between his party’s delegation and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital on Sunday. To accept Water Lily Bud as its symbol, NCP also submitted a letter before the Election Commission bringing change to its desired symbols – Water Lily, White Water Lily and Red Water Lily-- by incorporating Water Lily Bud to replace Red Water Lily. Noting that the EC has added several new symbols including Shapla Koli in the list of symbols, Patwary explained that now the order of NCP’s preference for symbols is – (First) Water-lily, (Second) White Water Lily (Second) and (Third) Water Lily Bud. “They’ve received a positive response among the people about Water Lily in the overall situation of the country,” he said. NCP accuses Asif Nazrul of political biasness over amendment issue The NCP said they call on NCP leaders and activists as well as the people of Bangladesh, who want to be candidates in all three hundred constituencies, to prepare for the election. He said the Water Lily Bud will be a major fighting symbol against larger parties such as BNP and Jamaat. “Water Lily is already established among the people; now the bud has joined Water Lily,” he said. Criticising the EC, the NCP leader said the Commission has been moving slowly while election festivity has already started in the country. “We want to enter the election phase and the February election to be held fairly. We also want to participate in it,” he added. NCP insists on ‘Shapla’ symbol, rejects ‘Shapla Kali’ He urged the commission to complete the NCP’s registration process quickly so the party can go to the field with its symbol. “Inshallah, in the future there will be a neck-and-neck contest between ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ (BNP’s electoral symbol) and ‘Water Lily Bud’ (NCP’s possible electoral symbol).” On October 30 last, the EC released a revised list of 119 electoral symbols, incorporating ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli). According to the revised schedule, 20 new symbols have been added to the list, while 16 old ones have been dropped. Later on the day, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed clarified that there is a difference between the ‘Water Lily’ symbol sought by NCP and the newly incorporated ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli) in the revised list of 119 electoral symbols. Two other NCP delegation members are its joint convener Khaled Saifullah and its joint member secretary Jahirul Islam Musa. NCP may form alliance based on commitment: Sarjis Replying to a question whether the NCP would form an electoral alliance, Nasiruddin Patwary said his party will neither accompany Jamaat nor BNP as Jamaat promotes religious fascism, while BNP carries out extortion and violence. "We want there to be no terrorism, extortion, or corruption in the future parliament. There should also be no religious fascism either," he said. About the referendum, the NCP leader said BNP and Jamaat are currently in a confrontation over the issue. He asked both the parties to avoid confrontation otherwise it may derail the electoral timetable or delay the election. “We would like to urge the two parties not to try to delay the election and avoid bad-debate over the timing of the referendum,” the NCP leader added.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah has said that the election must be held in February and that only those seeking to create a confrontation between the government and the July Charter want to delay it. “If reforms are not implemented, how will the election take place? If this government does not have the mandate for reforms or for declaring the July Charter following the mass uprising, then under what mandate will it hold the election? I want to see that,” said Hasnat. The NCP leader came up with the information while talking to reporters at a press briefing after a coordination meeting aimed at strengthening the party’s activities at the Bhola Zila Parishad auditorium on Sunday afternoon. “Those who oppose the July Charter must explain which direction they want to take Bangladesh in and what kind of preparation they are making. The people will soon understand their motives. We will ally only with those who support reform and are committed to addressing the constitutional weaknesses that led to the events of 2024.” Reiterating the need for reforms before the polls, Hasnat said, “The reform process must be completed properly and the election must be held in February.” The reform order must be issued through a public mandate and it has to be signed by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, he said adding “But we can see that one party wants the President to sign this order. If we have to get the July document signed by him, it is better for all of us to drown in the river.” NCP Bhola District Chief Coordinator Mehedi Hasan Sharif presided over the meeting. Central, district, and union-level NCP leaders were also present.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman has been re-elected Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for three years. The party's Chief Election Commissioner and Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, who was in charge of conducting the internal election, announced it on Saturday night, Jamaat-e-Islami shared on its verified Facebook page. According to the announcement, voting was held across the country from October 9 to October 25 through a secret ballot among the party’s members (Rukon). After the completion of the voting process, the responsible teams counted the ballots. Dr Shafiqur  was elected Ameer receiving the highest number of votes, the Chief Election Commissioner said.

The Election Commission (EC) has reinstated the registration of Jatiya Ganatantrik Party-Jagpa with its electoral symbol ‘Hookah’ in line with a High Court order. “The Jatiya Ganatantrik Party-Jagpa’s registration with its party symbol (Registration No-036, ‘Hookah’ symbol, dated November 20, 2008) was reinstated cancelling its earlier notification that had revoked the party’s registration,” said a notification signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday. The commission had first awarded registration to Jagpa ahead of the 2008 national election. However, on February 1, 2021, the then Election Commission cancelled the party’s registration for its failure to comply with conditions under the Representation of the People Order (RPO). Challenging the cancellation, Jagpa president Tasmina Prodhan filed a writ petition with the High Court later that year. In March 2025, the court handed down its order, directing the EC to reinstate the party’s registration. Jagpa founding president Shafiul Alam Prodhan passed away on May 21, 2017, then its chairperson Rehana Prodhan died on October 22, 2018. Later their daughter, Tasmina Prodhan, later took over as the party’s acting president. A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration, but five of them—Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, Oikyabodha Nagorik Andolan, PDP and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)—later lost their status due to different grounds and court orders. But Jamaat has recently got back their registration following the court order. Now Jagpa got back its registration as well. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended. Recently, Bangladesh Republic Party (BRP) officially received registration as a new political party with the ‘Elephant’ as its electoral symbol on October 26 and Bangladesh Labour Party on September 25 last, following two separate court directives. The registration system for political parties was first introduced ahead of the 9th parliamentary election in 2008. Besides, the registration process for new parties is underway ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

National Citizen Party (NCP) has accused Law Adviser Asif Nazrul of assuring a particular political party of advantages regarding the proposed amendment to Article 20 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. The NCP raised the allegation in a letter signed by its Member Secretary Akhter Hossen and sent to the Law Adviser on Sunday, seeking the government’s official stance on the matter. The NCP letter says, “Recent discussions surrounding the amendment to Article 20 of the RPO, 1972 have raised serious questions about your personal assurance and position favouring a specific political party. We respectfully remind you that as an adviser, you are a neutral legal counsellor of the state, not a representative of any political party.” Offering assurance to one party regarding an electoral law amendment contradicts the neutrality and accountability expected from advisers of the post-July Uprising interim government, the letter says. NCP insists on ‘Shapla’ symbol, rejects ‘Shapla Kali’ “It must be remembered that amending such a law is not a unilateral decision—it is an institutional, consultative and public interest-driven process. Any commitment that signals alignment with a single party’s demand undermines public confidence in the administration and questions the impartiality of the interim government,” the letter reads. The NCP also criticised the Law Adviser’s position, saying it runs counter to the views of the Election Reform Commission and the Election Commission. Highlighting its stance, the party argued that the purpose of the political party registration system is to ensure internal democracy, financial transparency and ideological stability. “When a registered party contests under another’s symbol, it effectively escapes its own accountability. This creates a legal inconsistency and weakens the regulatory authority of the Election Commission,” the letter mentions. The NCP added that when multiple registered parties contest under the symbol of a larger party, voters are left confused about whom they are actually voting for. “This practice breaks the link between voters and political accountability,” the letter says. NCP symbol to be allocated by EC if it fails to pick one: Akhtar Ahmed The letter also warned that such practices create “artificial pluralism,” enabling dominant political forces to sponsor smaller “proxy parties” that later echo their views in Parliament and committees. “This undermines genuine diversity of opinion and distorts the process of building national consensus,” it read. Endorsing the position of the Election Reform Commission and the Election Commission, the NCP reiterated that Article 20 of the RPO should be amended to explicitly prohibit any registered political party from contesting under another party’s election symbol. “If joint nominations or alliance-based candidacies are necessary, the concerned parties should formally unite and register as a single new political entity with the Election Commission,” the party suggests. The NCP argues that such reform would not restrict political pluralism but rather strengthen genuine democratic diversity. “It will ensure every party takes responsibility for its own name, policy, and leadership — a prerequisite for protecting voters’ rights, state transparency, and constitutional balance,” the letter says. Akhter Hossen urged the Law Adviser to clarify the government’s official position on both issues mentioned in the letter.