United News of Bangladesh

BNP will start interview of nomination seekers for reserved women seats in the 13th Parliament on Friday. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the schedule at a press briefing at the party’s central office at Nayapaltan in the capital on Thursday. Interviews will be held at the BNP’s Chairman’s Gulshan office starting at 3pm on Friday and Saturday. Candidates from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal and Faridpur divisions will be interviewed on Friday while those from Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions on Saturday. A large number of aspirants have submitted nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats, prompting the party to arrange the interviews, said Rizvi. BNP nomination board, headed by Party Chairman Tarique Rahman, will conduct the interviews in the presence of members of the party’s standing committee, he added. More than 600 aspirants have collected nomination forms. The Election Commission earlier announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seats election. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21 while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals can be filed on April 26, and will be settled between April 27 and 28. Symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. According to the seat distribution, the BNP alliance is expected to get 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents one seat.    

An 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday announced a series of protest programmes across the country from April 18 to May 2 to press for implementation of the July Charter reforms in line with the referendum. The programmes include a mass procession in Dhaka on April 18 under the alliance banner, followed by similar rallies in divisional cities on April 25 and district-level processions on May 2. As part of the campaign, the alliance will also distribute leaflets and organise seminars in divisional headquarters and key district towns during the period. Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, made the announcement at a press conference held at Al-Falah Auditorium near the party’s central office in Moghbazar. Earlier, senior leaders of the alliance held a strategy meeting at the same venue to determine their next course of action amid the ongoing movement. The meeting was presided over by opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. Among others, Nahid Islam, chief whip of the opposition and NCP convener; Oli Ahmad, president of the Liberal Democratic Party; Mamunul Haque, chief of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; and Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of the AB Party, were present. The alliance leaders reiterated their demand for swift implementation of the July Charter, stressing that their movement would continue until the reforms are carried out.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Kushtia on Wednesday alleged that the inclusion of Jamaat leaders and activists in the murder case of ‘Pir’ Abdur Rahman Shamim alias Jahangir in Daulatpur is part of a “well-planned conspiracy”. They also demanded an impartial, transparent and credible investigation to uncover the true circumstances of the incident. The claims were made at a press conference held in Kushtia city on Wednesday afternoon. Jamaat leader among 200 sued over Kushtia ‘Pir’ murder In a written statement, Daulatpur Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Belal Hossain said that in the recent murder incident in Philipnagar, party-nominated union parishad chairman candidate and former district president Muhammad Khaja Ahmed has been named as the main accused, while attempts are being made to implicate other party leaders. He rejected the allegations, calling them “completely false, baseless and part of a well-planned conspiracy.” He further claimed that neither the party nor its leaders and activists were involved in the killing of Pir Shamim, nor in any related attack, vandalism or arson at his shrine. Jamaat leaders said the party has maintained a peaceful and lawful stance since the incident and supported dialogue and legal processes. They also raised the alleged presence of local BNP leaders also at the spot, calling for a fair investigation to uncover the real facts behind the incident. The leaders stressed that political or ideological differences should never be resolved through violence, and said they do not support any form of extrajudicial activity. They alleged that a vested-interest group is trying to implicate their leaders for political reasons, targeting individuals who advocate “anti-extortion and anti-occupation politics” in the area. The press conference urged authorities to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, identify the real culprits, and bring them to justice, while also calling for an end to the harassment of innocent individuals. They also requested the media to report responsibly and avoid spreading rumours or one-sided information. The leaders called on locals to remain calm and not be provoked by any misinformation, and said the party would contest the matter through legal channels. Jamaat leaders and activists, including Kushtia city Jamaat Ameer Enamul Haque, Daulatpur Upazila Ameer Maulana Belal Hossain, Secretary Abdullah Al Noman, and former Shibir president Mostafizur Rahman Palash, attended the press conference. Earlier on Tuesday, a case was filed against four named individuals, including a local Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader, and 180-200 unnamed ones, over the murder of self-proclaimed ‘Pir’ Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza and Jahangir, who was killed in a mob attack at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. Victim’s brother Fazlur Rahman filed the case at Daulatpur Police Station. Shamim Reza, 65, was beaten and hacked to death on Saturday afternoon at his shrine known as “Shamim Baba’s Darbar Sharif” in Philipnagar union. According to locals, an old video from 2023 resurfaced, leading to allegations of blasphemy and triggering the attack. Three of his followers– Zubayer, Mohon Ali and Jamirun Nesa – were also injured in the incident.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir on Wednesday said the BNP government has a proven political history of navigating global crises while simultaneously delivering two percent economic growth, asserting that the current government is equally equipped to manage challenges arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Titumir made these remarks after the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee formed under the Planning Commission's General Economics Division tasked with formulating economic strategies to accelerate national development and implement the government's electoral manifesto. “Every time BNP came to power, it faced a crisis and every time, it overcame that crisis and opened new horizons,” Titumir said. “In the 1970s, President Ziaur Rahman confronted the twin challenges of a global energy crisis and a post-famine economy. He rose to the occasion, laid the foundation of remittance earnings by exporting manpower to the Middle East, and unlocked a new chapter for Bangladesh's economy. In the 1990s, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia spearheaded a revolution in the garment industry. The two pillars of Bangladesh's economy were both built under BNP governance.” He added that even when economists in the 1970s declared the crisis unmanageable, BNP found a way through. “BNP has always had the capacity to mobilise people and manage crises, backed by strong public support. That capacity remains intact today.” Titumir said by objective economic indicators, Bangladesh's growth trajectory has remained essentially stagnant since BNP last left office. “Neutral statistics show that Bangladesh's economic position did not meaningfully advance after BNP's departure. Whenever BNP has taken power, the growth rate has risen by two percentage points.” The adviser stressed that the current government would pursue only realistic and future-oriented economic projects, rejecting schemes that are impractical. “We will not write feel-good narratives. Development will not be confined to rhetoric. The government has begun the task of recovering a damaged economy and moving it forward.” On social protection, Titumir said the previous system was politically motivated, often benefiting party loyalists and those who needed no assistance. “BNP has brought about a social revolution here, ensuring that benefits reach those who truly deserve them. Farmers are getting their fair dues. Women are receiving dignity through the Family Card. This is proof that Bangladesh is steadily moving towards a welfare state.” Responding to questions on fuel prices, Titumir said the government would adjust energy prices in line with global fluctuations but would not rush into any hasty decisions. “We will calibrate price adjustments carefully to ensure inflation does not spike and farmers are not hurt during the Boro season.” He also noted that at least 9 million people had fallen into poverty over the past three years, partly as a result of repeated hikes in gas and electricity prices by the previous government under various pretexts decisions that disproportionately burdened general people. “The current BNP government is accountable to people and every decision will be taken with the people's welfare in mind,” the adviser said, adding that the government would craft strategic policies for energy conservation and build domestic capacity to ensure long-term energy security.

Expressing optimism, Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on expatriate welfare and overseas employment, said that the ‘Farmers Card’ initiative will contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development. Farmers Card will facilitate access to fertiliser, seeds, irrigation services and agricultural machinery. It will also create opportunities for farmers to receive training, he said while speaking at a press briefing held on Monday. In the first phase, a total of 20,000 farmers in 11 upazilas across 10 districts will receive the cards. The programme will later be expanded gradually to include all farmers nationwide. Govt aims to make farmers self-reliant, prosperous: PM The fishermen and livestock farmers will also be brought under the scheme, he added The adviser noted that the initiative would help ensure transparency in the distribution of agricultural subsidies and enable farmers to receive fair prices for their produce. Earlier in the day, the government on Tuesday launched the Farmers’ Card pre-pilot programme in Tangail on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, marking another step towards fulfilling its election pledges. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the programme at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged BNP leaders and activists to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order across the country and not to take the law into their own hands. He gave the instruction at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. Addressing party members at the ceremony, he said they must work closely with the administration and law enforcement agencies so that peace and law and order are maintained in their respective areas. “If anyone does anything that disrupts the peace of the area, it is your responsibility to inform the law enforcement authorities. Never take the law into your own hands,” the Prime Minister said, pointing at party members. He also stressed the importance of development alongside maintaining order. “We must ensure development in every area at any cost, and we must also safeguard peace and stability under all circumstances.”

Expatriate voters showed little interest in exercising their franchise in the recent elections as only four expatriates voted in Bogura-6 by-polls and Sherpur-3 election, with only four ballots received from abroad. Only three expatriates voted in Bogura-6 by-election, while one expatriate in Sherpur-3 election, both held on April 9 -- two months after the 13th general election. “The Bogura-6 by-polls returning officer received three ballots from the expatriates, while the Sherpur-3 election returning officer received one ballots from them,” said Brigadier General Saleem Ahmad Khan, team lead of EC’s Out of Country Voting (OCV) System Development and Implementation initiative on Sunday. Besides, 1,065 domestic voters voted in Bogura-6, while 2,018 other domestic voters in Sherpur-3 under the In-Country Postal Voting (ICPV). A total of 7,309 voters -- 5,645 in-country ones and 1,664 expatriates -- earlier registered to vote through postal ballots in these two constituencies. Postal voting in these two constituencies began on March 30 and ended at 4.30pm on April 9. The current Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, introduced an IT-supported hybrid postal voting system -- in combination of online registration and manual postal ballot papers – in the 13th general election held on February 12 last. A total of 15,28,131 voters --767,233 expatriates and 760,898 government officials, election officials, Ansar and VDP members and prisoners—registered to vote through the postal ballots under OCV and ICPV programmes in the 13th national election. Of them, the returning officers finally received 11,65,593 returned postal ballots – 498,205 from abroad and 667,388 from in-country – in the election held in 299 out of 300 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) throughout the country.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam on Sunday urged allies and supporters to prepare for a fresh mass movement saying that the current government will never voluntarily implement reforms. Nahid made the remarks while presiding over an view-exchange meeting between July uprising martyrs' families and July fighters organised by the 11-party alliance at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. “Two years after the mass uprising, we still stand united in the conviction that Bangladesh must be transformed through fundamental reforms. And the primary obstacle standing in the way of that transformation is the current government,” Nahid said. Expressing frustration over the failure of parliamentary processes, he said, “We had hoped that everything would be resolved in parliament. But parliament has been rendered ineffective. We must now prepare for a mass movement. Without it, the government will not implement reforms.” He, however, stressed that this time the movement must be strategic. “We do not want to fail again or settle for half-success. This time, we will take to the streets with a plan.” Asserting collective ownership of the reform agenda, the NCP chief said, “Reforms do not belong to any single party, they are a demand for the survival of Bangladesh.” He pledged that the alliance's leaders would stand at the frontline of any confrontation. “If bullets come, they will hit our chests first.” Nahid also accused the BNP government of exploiting the legacy of the July uprising for political legitimacy. “July martyrs and the wounded are the assets of this nation. We do not want to use them for politics. But the government invokes July fighters and even the spirit of 1971 to legitimise its actions while genuinely embodying neither.” He further alleged that Bangladesh has been moving backwards since the BNP assumed power. “The BNP reaped the fruits of the mass uprising of the 1990s but discarded the three-alliance roadmap once in power. Even now, they are rejecting the July Charter and the ordinance.” Senior leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh-led 11-party alliance were also present at the event.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said there will be no compromise in the struggle to realise the rights of the people of Bangladesh. He alleged that the government has failed to fulfil its commitments to the people and warned that protests would continue both inside and outside parliament to ensure their rights. Shafiqur Rahman, also the opposition leader in parliament, made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting those injured in election violence in the Sherpur-3 by-election constituency (Sreebardi–Jhenaigati) at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. BNP eliciting political crisis through stance on reforms: Jamaat Secretary General Questioning the persistence of political violence, he said, “Why is there so much violence in politics even after so much bloodshed in July?” He also criticised the tone of parliamentary discourse, saying such behaviour is not expected in the House. "If individuals involved in violence go to parliament, what can be expected from them." Referring to the situation in Sherpur-3, he said many of the injured remain in serious condition, indicating the severity of the violence. The Jamaat Ameer also criticised the state of healthcare services, saying overcrowding and mismanagement at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital reflect neglect in the health sector. Local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami were present during his visit.

The April 9 by-elections in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 were generally peaceful and orderly while there were several procedural and administrative shortcomings, according to Alliance for Fair Election and Democracy (AFED), a platform of 30 civil society organisations supported by the European Union. “We observed a largely calm environment where voters were able to participate,” said AFED spokesperson Harun-Or-Rashid at a press conference. “At the same time, there are areas that require improvement to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process,” he said. While polling largely began on time and ballot secrecy was maintained, AFED reported that 32 percent of polling stations were not accessible to persons with disabilities. Observers also found inconsistencies in voter identification procedures in 12 percent of polling stations. Besides, indications of proxy voting were reported in 11 percent of observed centres. Voter turnout was significantly lower compared to the February 12 national elections, it said. AFED recorded moderate turnout in 64 percent of polling stations and low turnout in 31 percent. AFED’s observation of postal voting, including a pilot initiative for out-of-country voting (OCV), found the counting process to be transparent but participation to be low. In Bogura-6, only 1,068 of 3,736 issued postal ballots were returned, with many rejected due to procedural errors such as missing declaration forms. Observers recorded six notable incidents during polling. The most serious occurred at Shreebordi Islamia Kamil Madrasa centre in Sherpur-3, where clashes between rival supporters left five people injured. Based on reports from 53 observers deployed across 103 polling centres, AFED recommended strengthening training for polling officials to ensure strict adherence to procedures, ensuring full accessibility for voters with disabilities at all polling stations, enforcing campaign silence rules more strictly, expanding eligibility for postal voting to include observers, media personnel, and homebound voters Among those present at the press conference were Taleya Rehman, Chairperson of Democracywatch and AFED board member; Binoy Krishna Mollick, Executive Director of Right Jessore; AH M Nouman, Chairperson of DORP; and Md Harun-Or-Rashid, AFED Member Secretary.